Chelnokov, Nikolai Vasilevich

Chelnokov, Nikolai Vasil’evich 

Born Apr. 26 (May 9), 1906, in Irkutsk; died July 16, 1974, in Moscow. Twice Hero of the Soviet Union (June 14, 1942, and Aug. 19, 1944). Major general of aviation (1949). Member of the CPSU from 1940.

Chelnokov joined the Red Army in 1928. He graduated from the Sevastopol’ School for Naval Pilots in 1931, academic courses at the Naval Academy in 1945, and the K. E. Voroshilov Higher Military Academy in 1949. He was a flight commander during the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939–40. During the Great Patriotic War of 1941–15, Chelnokov served as a squadron commander and as the deputy commander and, beginning in August 1942, commander of the 1st Guards Mine and Torpedo Air Regiment of the Baltic Fleet. He commanded the 8th Guards Ground-attack Regiment of the Black Sea Fleet from June to August 1943, reassuming the post in December. From August to October 1944 he was the commander of the 9th Ground-attack Air Division of the Baltic Fleet. Chelnokov himself flew more than 270 missions.

After the war, Chelnokov served in command and staff capacities and held a teaching position, leaving active duty for the reserves in 1954. He was a deputy to the second convocation of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and was awarded three Orders of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Ushakov Second Class, the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Badge of Honor, and various medals. A bust of Chelnokov stands in Leningrad.