Vladimir Stepanovich Eliseev - Soviet military leader, pilot, participant of the Great Patriotic War. Awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Early years and education
Vladimir Stepanovich Eliseev was born on July 19, 1923 in the village of Lukino, Ryazan Region, into an ordinary peasant family.
Vladimir studied well at school, was in good physical shape. After graduating from 9 classes, he got a job as a mechanic in Moscow, and then entered the Moscow Aviation Institute.
The Great Patriotic War
When the war began in 1941, Eliseev was only 18 years old. The young man immediately joined the ranks of the Red Army and went to the front. In 1942 he graduated from the pilot school and began serving in an aviation regiment. All 4 years he fought first on a fighter, was a talented and valuable pilot for the Soviet troops, after that he was promoted to the commander of an aviation squadron.
Vladimir Stepanovich destroyed many German aircraft, and Eliseev's plane was also shot down twice, and the soldier was injured, but refused to be transported to the hospital and returned to battles.
He took part in the Stalingrad and Kursk battles, in which he shot down several enemy fighters, and together with everyone he conducted offensive operations.
On the victorious day for the Soviet army, May 9, 1945, near Berlin, shot down 6 German planes.
During his entire service, Vladimir Stepanovich made more than 250 sorties, shot down 21 enemy aircraft, and was wounded several times.
Future life
At the end of World War II, Eliseev did not leave the Red Army. Vladimir Stepanovich successfully completed the tactical flight courses, and the famous pilot became an inspector of an aviation division. He tested aircraft and helicopter engines, tested more than 60 types of equipment during his career.
Later, 27-year-old Vladimir Eliseev became test pilots at the institute, with which he stayed until 1977.
After retirement, he lived with his family in the village of Chkalovsky and worked as an engineer. He died on January 7, 2003 at the age of 80, and was buried in Moscow.
Personal life
Vladimir Stepanovich was married. With his wife, Valentina Iosipovna, he lived until his death. He had two sons, who followed in the footsteps of his father and became military leaders.
Contemporaries described Eliseev as a kind and honest person, devoted to his family and homeland. They also noted that he was a skilled pilot and military man.
Awards and titles
For courage, courage and devotion to his country, Vladimir Stepanovich Eliseev was awarded three times the Orders of the Red Banner and four orders of the Red Star, the Orders of Alexander Nevsky, the Patriotic War, and fifteen medals.
In 1996 he received the title of Hero of the Russian Federation, and was previously awarded the title of Honored Test Pilot of the USSR.
