Photo of Hero of the Soviet Union A.G. Khvostunov with his comrades

The original photo is in excellent collector's condition. The size is 52*77 mm. The reverse side is signed. Guarantee of authenticity.

Andrey Grigoryevich Khvostunov (10/27/1919, Vladimir Region — 08/07/1989, Moscow) was a Soviet serviceman, participant of the Great Patriotic War, flight commander of the 150th short-range bomber Aviation Regiment of the 46th Mixed Aviation Division of the Kalinin Front, second lieutenant. Hero of the Soviet Union.

He was born on October 27, 1919 in the village of Galkino, now in the Vyaznikovsky district of the Vladimir region, into a peasant family. Member of the CPSU since 1943. He graduated from grades 7 and the aero club. He worked as a locksmith in a factory.

In the Red Army since 1937. In 1938 he graduated from the Perm Military Aviation School. On the fronts of the Great Patriotic War since July 1941. He took an active part in the Battle of Moscow. By mid-January 1942, flight commander of the 150th short-range bomber Aviation Regiment, Junior Lieutenant Andrei Khvostunov, candidate member of the CPSU(b), had flown 209 combat sorties to attack enemy personnel and equipment. By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR "On awarding the title Hero of the Soviet Union to the commanding and ordinary personnel of the Red Army" dated May 5, 1942, for "exemplary performance of combat missions of the command at the front of the struggle against the German invaders and the courage and heroism shown at the same time", he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.

After the war, he continued to serve in the Air Force. In 1956, he served as an inspector of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District. Since 1959, Colonel A. G. Khvostunov has been in the reserve. He lived in Moscow at 22 Novopeschanaya Street[2][3]. Before retiring, he worked as a pilot in Civil Aviation. He died on August 7, 1989. He was buried at the Khovansky Cemetery in Moscow. He was awarded three Orders of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, three orders of the Red Star, and medals. Honored pilot of the USSR. The pioneer squad of the Vyaznikovskaya secondary school, where he studied, was named after the Hero.