Semyon Kharlamov
Semyon Ilyich Kharlamov (; 30 April 1921 5 May 1990) was a reconnaissance and fighter pilot during World War II who was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. He later went on to hold various command posts in the air force, and eventually reaching the rank of colonel-general. His wife, Nadezhda Popova, a squadron commander in the famed "Night Witches" who he met at the warfront, was also a Hero of the Soviet Union. Early life Kharlamov was born on 30 April 1921 to a working-class Russian family in Krasny Kut. Before entering the military in 1939 he completed his eighth grade of school in 1937. Initially enlisted in the army, he attended the Chkalovsk Infantry School in Orenburg before moving on to the Stalingrad Military Aviation School of Pilots, which he graduated from in 1942 before being deployed to the warfront as a pilot in the 821st Fighter Aviation Regiment. World War II Originally deployed with the 821st Fighter Regiment in 1942, in December that year he transferred to the 249th Fighter Aviation Regiment as a senior pilot. There, he flew for the rest of the war and quickly rose through the ranks from senior pilot to