Stepan Kretov
Encyclopedia
Stepan Ivanovich Kretov was a Soviet
military aviator. He was made a Hero of the Soviet Union
on two occasions (March 13, 1944 and February 23, 1948). Colonel
Kretov was awarded two Orders of Lenin
, two Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of the Red Star, and numerous medal
s.
. In 1939-1940, Kretov completed primary airforce training at Balashov
Air School.
During World War II
, Kretov served in long-range bomber
units, flying his first combat mission in June, 1941. By the beginning of 1944, captain Kretov's citation for the title of Hero of Soviet Union listed 336 combat missions, 60 enemy airplanes destroyed on the ground and 10 in the air. On eight occasions, Kretov bailed out from damaged airplanes, including ditching into Azov Sea after a raid on Kerch
in December 1943. He flew his last mission of that war over Berlin
, May 2, 1945.
After postgraduate military education in 1950-1958 Kretov transferred to emerging Strategic Rocket Forces
; he trained cadets in Rostov
and Moscow military colleges until his retirement in 1974. He was buried at Vvedenskoye Cemetery in Moscow.
Soviet Air Force
The Soviet Air Force, officially known in Russian as Военно-воздушные силы or Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily and often abbreviated VVS was the official designation of one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces...
military aviator. He was made a Hero of the Soviet Union
Hero of the Soviet Union
The title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.-Overview:...
on two occasions (March 13, 1944 and February 23, 1948). Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Kretov was awarded two Orders 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...
, two Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of the Red Star, and numerous medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
s.
Biography
Stepan Kretov was born in a peasant family in Malaya Nichka in the Russian SFSR. After completing middle school in Minusinsk, he trained at an agricultural college in KanskKansk
Kansk is a town on the left bank of the Kan River in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia. Population: It is home to the Kansk air base and is crossed by the Trans-Siberian railroad....
. In 1939-1940, Kretov completed primary airforce training at Balashov
Balashov
Balashov is a town in Saratov Oblast, Russia, located on the Khopyor River. Population: Town status was granted to it in 1780.It was home to Balashov air base....
Air School.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Kretov served in long-range bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
units, flying his first combat mission in June, 1941. By the beginning of 1944, captain Kretov's citation for the title of Hero of Soviet Union listed 336 combat missions, 60 enemy airplanes destroyed on the ground and 10 in the air. On eight occasions, Kretov bailed out from damaged airplanes, including ditching into Azov Sea after a raid on Kerch
Kerch
Kerch is a city on the Kerch Peninsula of eastern Crimea, an important industrial, transport and tourist centre of Ukraine. Kerch, founded 2600 years ago, is considered as one of the most ancient cities in Ukraine.-Ancient times:...
in December 1943. He flew his last mission of that war over Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, May 2, 1945.
After postgraduate military education in 1950-1958 Kretov transferred to emerging Strategic Rocket Forces
Strategic Rocket Forces
The Strategic Missile Troops or Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation or RVSN RF , transliteration: Raketnye voyska strategicheskogo naznacheniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii, literally Missile Troops of Strategic Designation of the Russian Federation) are a military branch of the Russian...
; he trained cadets in Rostov
Rostov
Rostov is a town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, one of the oldest in the country and a tourist center of the Golden Ring. It is located on the shores of Lake Nero, northeast of Moscow. Population:...
and Moscow military colleges until his retirement in 1974. He was buried at Vvedenskoye Cemetery in Moscow.