Mikhail Kuchinsky

Early life Kuchinsky was born on 23 December 1911 in the village of Prysna in Mogilev Governorate to a peasant family. He graduated from ninth grade and studied at the Mogilev Institute of Chemical Technology. Kuchinsky then worked at a silk factory.

In 1932, Kuchinsky was drafted into the Red Army. He graduated from the Tambov Military Aviation School in 1934. From 26 August to 30 September, he fought in the Chernigov-Pripyat Offensive, part of the Battle of the Dnieper. On 28 October, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner a second time. Kuchinsky fought in the Gomel-Rechitsa Offensive in November. From 24 to 29 June, he was involved in air combat during Operation Bagration. He then fought in the Minsk Offensive from 29 June to 4 July. On 4 July, he was awarded a third Order of the Red Banner. From 18 July, he fought in the Lublin–Brest Offensive. On 19 August, the regiment became the 173rd Guards Attack Aviation Regiment and the division became the 11th Guards Assault Aviation Division. By 26 August, Kuchinsky had reportedly made 93 successful combat missions From 10 February, Kuchinsky fought in the East Pomeranian Offensive. On 24 March, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his leadership. From 16 April, the regiment fought in the Berlin Offensive. By the war's end, Kuchinsky had made more than 130 sorties. He died on 1 January 1995 and was buried in Rostov-on-Don's Severo cemetery.