Vladimir Merkulov

Vladimir Merkulov

Lieutenant General of the Soviet Army, participant in the Great Patriotic War, Hero of the Soviet Union (1944).
Date of Birth: 28.12.1922
Country: Ukraine

Biography of Vladimir Merkulov

Vladimir Ivanovich Merkulov, a Lieutenant General of the Soviet Army, was born on December 28, 1922, in the village of Pogorelovo, currently located in the Oryol district of the Oryol region. He came from a peasant family and completed his education by finishing eight classes. In 1940, he joined the Red Army and a year later graduated from the Armavir Military Aviation School for Pilots. From April 1943, he served in active duty and participated in the Great Patriotic War.

Vladimir Merkulov

During his military service, Merkulov flew various aircraft, including the Yak-7, Yak-1, Yak-9, and Yak-3. He fought on the Northern Caucasus, Southern, 4th Ukrainian, 1st and 3rd Belarusian fronts. By April 1944, he became the deputy commander of the 278th Fighter Aviation Division's 43rd Fighter Aviation Regiment and completed 195 combat missions, engaging in 82 aerial battles where he personally shot down 19 enemy aircraft and 4 in groups. On October 26, 1944, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and bravery in combat.

Throughout the war, Merkulov demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and camaraderie in aerial combat. He consistently put the safety of his comrades before his own, often exposing himself to enemy fire. His exceptional piloting skills and composure helped him survive in the most precarious situations. In total, he completed 321 successful combat missions, shot down 29 enemy aircraft personally and 4 in groups.

After the war, Merkulov continued his service in the Soviet Air Force. In 1945, he completed courses for squadron commanders, in 1948 - advanced courses in blind and night training, and in 1957 - the Military Air Academy. He became a distinguished military aviator of the USSR. In 1979, he retired as a Lieutenant General of Aviation. He currently resides in Kyiv.

Throughout his military career, Vladimir Merkulov received numerous honors and awards, including the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner (four times), the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class (three times), the Order of the Red Star (three times), and the Medal "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" 3rd Class.

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