Photo of Hero of the Soviet Union Sorokin V.A.

The original photo is in excellent collector's condition. The size is 76*120 mm. Rare. Guarantee of authenticity.

Vitaly Andreevich Sorokin (November 25, 1921, Orsk, RSFSR — November 14, 1985, Orsk, USSR) was a Soviet military pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union. He was born into the family of an employee. He graduated from ten grades. He studied at the flying club. In 1940, he was drafted into the Red Army. He studied at the Orenburg Military Aviation School of Pilots, where he mastered the Pe-2 aircraft. He joined the front during the Great Patriotic War in May 1943. He served in the 24th Bomber Aviation Regiment (241st Bomber Aviation Division). He flew his first combat mission on July 10, 1943, successfully bombing enemy vehicles. Two months later, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star for his military services. Vitaly Sorokin participated with the regiment in the Oryol-Kursk, Sevskaya, Rechitsko-Gomel, Kalinkovichi-Mozyr and Bobruisk combat operations. He became a flight commander. On March 11, 1945, together with the entire regiment, he received an order to bomb a well—defended enemy defense stronghold in the Stettin area. For Sorokin, this was the 74th combat mission. When approaching the target, a shell hit his plane, Vitaly was wounded by shrapnel: one of the fragments hit his right leg, the other broke the palm of his right hand, depriving the pilot of three fingers. However, Sorokin did not withdraw from the battle, brought the plane to its target and bombed it. Steering with one hand and bleeding profusely, with the help of a navigator, Vitaly flew the plane to the airfield for 40 minutes and successfully landed it, after which he lost consciousness. After leaving the hospital in 1946, he retired from the armed forces for health reasons. After returning to Orsk, he graduated from the Orsk Oil College and worked in the plant management of the Chkalov Oil Refinery. He was awarded the Order for his labor services. He participated in public activities, interacted with the factory-sponsored school No. 30 in the city of Orsk. He died on November 14, 1985, and was buried at the Pervomaiskoye Orsk city cemetery.