Photo of Hero of the Soviet Union ace pilot P.I. Muravyov

A rare photo in excellent collector's condition. The size is 53*81 mm. On the back there is a signature and traces of pasting into the album. Guarantee of authenticity.

Pavel Ignatievich Muravyov (1917-2003) — ace pilot, commander of the aviation squadron of the 271st Fighter Aviation Regiment (274th Fighter Aviation Division, 1st Fighter Aviation Corps, 3rd Air Army, Kalinin Front), participant of the Great Patriotic War, Hero of the Soviet Union (1943).

Pavel Muravyov was born on December 20, 1917 in the village of Snytkino (now the Brasovsky district of the Bryansk region). In 1930, he moved to the city of Sevsk, where he graduated from seven grades of school. Later, he completed two courses at the veterinary college in Sychevka, Smolensk region, and the aero club in Rzhev. In April 1938, Muravyov was drafted into the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. In the same year, he graduated from the Odessa Military Aviation School of Pilots. Participated in the battles of the Soviet-Finnish war. There he carried out 94 sorties and shot down 3 Finnish aircraft in air battles as part of a group.

In August 1941, he graduated from the squadron Commanders course. Since October of the same year, he served on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. He was wounded in the fighting. By February 1943, Senior Lieutenant Pavel Muravyov commanded a squadron of the 271st Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 274th Fighter Aviation Division of the 1st Fighter Aviation Corps of the 3rd Air Army of the Kalinin Front. During the war, he flew 289 combat missions, took part in 83 air battles, shooting down 22 enemy aircraft personally and 6 more as part of a group.

By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 1, 1943, for "courage and heroism shown in battle," Guard Captain Pavel Muravyov was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. By May 9, 1945, he had flown 473 sorties, conducted 149 air battles, shot down 22 aircraft personally and 3 as part of a group. After the end of the war, Muravyov continued to serve in the Soviet Army. In September 1953, he was discharged from the reserve with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He lived and worked in Moscow. In the mid-90s, B.N. threw out and broke a gift from Yeltsin, calling the current affairs in the country a disgrace. He died on February 19, 2003, and was buried at the Golovinsky Cemetery in Moscow. He was also awarded three Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, three Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree, and a number of medals.