Patriotic War I,0052359,Senior Pilot,88th Interceptor Aviation Regiment

[Alvarez]

Order of patriotic war 1st class, serial number 52.359 to Jr. Lieutenant Vasilij Evmenovicj Maksimenko, pilot of the 88th fighter regiment.

Brief description of the merits:

"He arrived to the regiment in July 1943 and begun his combat work against the enemy forces on North-Caucasus front. During this period of his engagement,
comrade MAKSIMENKO conducted 97 combat sorties. Of those: 32 sorties for bombers and assault aircraft escort; 31 interception sorties, 17 ground patrol
sorties; 17 recognisance sorties. Participated in 25 air dogfights, in which, as part of a group, he shot down 2 enemy aircraft. 21.XI.1943, comrade MAKSIMENKO, in a group of 8 LAGG-3 aircrafts, departed for ground patrol mission near Adzhimushkay. At altitude 2800-3000m, they met a group of 12 Ju-87 protected by 4 Me-109. Comrade MAKSIMENKO together with his leading pilot begun attack runs at the enemy airplanes. As the result, they broke their flight formation and dropped the bombs chaotically without purpose. In this engagement, thanks to gallant and decisive actions, comrade MAKSIMENKO shot down 2 enemy aircrafts as part of the group. 22.XI.1943, comrade MAKSIMENKO in a group of 6 LAGG-3 aircrafts, departed for ground patrol mission near Kolonka. Approaching the target area, at the altitude 4000m, comrade MAKSIMENKO spotted two groups of 5 Ju-87 and 6 Ju-88 protected by 8 Me-109. After he radioed this intel to his leader, the group conducted a surprise attack at the enemy bombers. Their flight formation was disrupted and they dropped their bomb load without purpose.

Comrade MAKSIMENKO performs good in dogfights as #2 in a pair formation. Flying succeeding airplane in pair formation, he provides reliable cover to his
leader during attack runs. There has never been a case when his leader was suddenly attacked during attack run.

He has never been in enemy captivity nor in encirclement.

For conducted 97 combat sorties, for excellent execution of the combat orders, for 2 aircrafts shot down in a group, he is worthy of order “RED BANNER”. "