This document summarizes the life and accomplishments of the author's great-grandfather, Vladimir Mikhailov, who fought as a fighter pilot in World War II and was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. It notes that Mikhailov was born in 1920 in Tambov, trained as a pilot and joined the Red Army in 1940. During the war, he flew over 690 combat missions and was decorated multiple times for his service. His name is engraved on a monument in Tambov honoring heroes of the Soviet Union from the region. The author's family continues to honor his legacy by visiting the monument whenever they are in Tambov.

1. People say that without the past,
there can’t be any future, so it is
important to remember and
appreciate what our gallant great-
grandparents did for us.
Presented by
Ekaterina Mikhailova
Star City School
Moscow Region

2. In the historic centre of Tambov,
in Sobornaya Square, there is the
monument to the Heroes of the
Soviet Union born in Tambov
Region. It was built to honour
the people who got the highest
military award in the Soviet
Union.
The name of my great-
grandfather, Mikhailov Vladimir
Aleksandrovich, is carved on the
obelisk among the names of
other brave defenders of our
country.
In memory of my great-grandfather

3. Mikhailov Vladimir Aleksandrovich was
born in Tambov in 1920. In the beginning
of his career Vladimir worked as a barber,
but he always wanted to be a pilot. That’s
why he became a member of an air club at
the age of 18.
In April 1940 Vladimir Mikhailov joined the
Red Army. Then he studied at a
professional college for military pilots in
Egorievsk and graduated it successfully.
For two years Vladimir Aleksandrovich
Mikhailov worked as an instructor and
trained cadets to be pilots.
His dream to hit enemy aircraft came true
only in the spring of 1943.
V.A. Mikhailov fought on the North
Caucasus, Transcaucasus, 2-nd
Belorussian and 4-th Ukrainian fronts as a
fighter pilot. He flew 690 combat missions
In the middle - Mikhailov Vladimir
Aleksandrovich
In memory of my great-
grandfather

4. During the Great Patriotic War my great-
granddad was given the Order of the
Patriotic War 1-st and 2-nd class, the
Order of Suvorov 3-rd class and the Order
of the Red Banner three times. Also, he
was presented the Order of the Red Star
and the medal for the defence of the
Caucasus.
In May 1946 senior lieutenant, Mikhailov
Vladimir Aleksandrovich, was
posthumously awarded a Gold Star of a
Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage,
skills as a fighter pilot and devotion to
duty.
My great-grandfather was an example for
his grandson, Mikhailov Vladimir
Gennadievich who became a military
officer. My brother also follow his great-
grandfather and graduated Moscow State
In memory of my great-
grandfather

5. The residents of Tambov don’t
forget their heroes. Some streets in
the town were named in their
honour. One of them has my great-
grandfather’ s name.
Besides, you can see the memorial
plaque with the heroes’ names on
the school building where they
studied.
Every time visiting Tambov my
family and I go to Sobornaya
Square and lay flowers at the
obelisk to commemorate those
people who defended our country
during the World War II.