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”. "

[CtahhR]

Here is the original citation.

Also awarded a Red Star and Red Banner.

[leaftree]

Fascinating citation. Thanks for posting it.

[Alvarez]

Yes, I love it. The citation of the red star is probably even better.

I will post it tomorrow.

[Alvarez]

The merits for order of red star awarded on 15.05.1944:

"He arrived to the regiment in July 1943 and begun his combat work for expulsion of Germano-Fascist invaders on North-Caucasus front, Soviet Kuban, and Taman’s peninsula and Crimea.

During the period of his engagement, comrade MAKSIMENKO conducted 131 combat sorties.

After his first combat award, Guards Jr. Lieutenant MAKSIMENKO conducted 34 combat sorties. Of those: 8 ground assault sorties, 16 sorties for bombers and assault aircraft escort; 10 interception sorties. Participated in 12 air dogfights, in which he shot down 3 aircrafts: one personally, one in a pair, one as part of a group. In the ground assault missions, he destroyed: 3 trucks, 4 loaded horse carriages, killed or wounded up to 8 enemy troops.
On 19.04.1944, Guards Lieutenant MAKSIMENKO, flying second in a pair, flew a mission in a group of 6 LAGG-3, with the task to scout and patrol in the area of Sevastopol. Approaching the target area at altitude 3000m, Guards Jr. Lieutenant MAKSIMENKO spotted 2 groups of enemy bomber and reported to the leading pilot. After receiving the radio message, the leader immediately engaged the group of Ju-87. Their combat formation was broken. The subsequent attacks were aimed at individual enemy planes. Comrade MAKSIMENKO together with his leader approached one Ju-87 from the tail and set it ablaze from a distance of 50-20m. The enemy crushed near hill 173, 2-3km South-East of Sevastopol.

On 24.04.1944, comrade MAKSIMENKO, flying second in a pair, flew an escort mission in a group of 10 LAGG-3, with the task to escort IL-2 ground assault airplanes to the area North of Sevastopol. Approaching the target, at the altitude 2000m, they met up to 12 enemy fighter planes. Comrade MAKSIMENKO in a group of 4 LAGG-3 engaged the enemy fighters. During the ensuing fight, MAKSIMENKO noticed a damaged IL-2, which was approached by an enemy FW-190. Climbing sharply, Guards Jr. Lieutenant MAKSIMENKO attacked the FW-190, which after left turn crushed into a mountain.

He has never been in enemy captivity or encirclement.

For personal air victory, one victory in a pair, and one victory in a group, for excellent sound assault missions, for excellent escorting of our IL-2 - he is worthy of order “RED STAR”."