Irina Feodorovna Sebrova (1914-2000) was a lieutenant and pilot for the Soviet Air Forces who served in the all-female Night Witches

Night Witches

"Night Witches" is the English translation of Nachthexen, a World War II German nickname , for the female military aviators of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, known later as the 46th "Taman" Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, of the Soviet Air Forces...

 during the Great Patriotic War. Sebrova was awarded the title Hero of Soviet Union.

Born December 25, 1914 in Tetyakovka, Novomoskovsk

Novomoskovsk

Novomoskovsk may refer to one of the following:*Novomoskovsk, Russia in Tula Oblast*Novomoskovsk, Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast*RFS Novomoskovsk , a Russian Navy submarine...

 to a working-class family, Sebrova moved to Moscow and graduated with a degree in milling from Moscow University, after which she worked in a factory. At the age of 23 already an experienced flight instructor at the Frunze flight club in Moscow, in 1938 she graduated from the Moscow Aeroclub and in 1940 began training in military aviation.

Joining the Red Army

Red Army

The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...

 in October 1941, in 1942 she completed her military aviation studies and took command of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, also known as the Night Witches. Sebrova took part in 1008 bombing sorties against enemy troops. Sebrova joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

Communist Party of the Soviet Union

The Communist Party of the Soviet Union was the only legal, ruling political party in the Soviet Union and one of the largest communist organizations in the world...

 in 1943.

On February 23, 1945, by decree of the Presidium

Presidium

The presidium or praesidium is the name for the heading organ of various legislative and organizational bodies.-Historical usage:...

 Sebrova was awarded Hero of Soviet Union with the Gold Star

Gold Star

The Gold Star medal is a special insignia that identifies recipients of the title "Hero" in the Soviet Union and its communist allies, and several post-Soviet states.-Soviet origin:...

 and the Order of Lenin

Order of Lenin

The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...

.

Sebrova retired from the Air Force in 1948, joining the Moscow Aviation Institute

Moscow Aviation Institute

Moscow Aviation Institute is one of several major engineering higher education establishments in Moscow .Although the school is currently offering a wide range of majors and research...

. She died in 2000 and is buried in Rakitin Cemetery.

Awards

Sebrova was awarded the Order of Lenin, 3 Orders of the Red Banner, Order of the Patriotic War

Order of the Patriotic War

The Order of the Patriotic War is a Soviet military decoration that was awarded to all soldiers in the Soviet armed forces, security troops, and to partisans for heroic deeds during the German-Soviet War, known by the former-Soviet Union as the Great Patriotic War.- History :The Order was...

, 1st and 2nd degree, the Red Star

Red star

A red star, five-pointed and filled, is an important ideological and religious symbol which has been used for various purposes, such as: state emblems, flags, monuments, ornaments, and logos.- Symbol of communism :...

and medals.