Gennady Dmitrievich
Tsokolaev

1916-1976


Gennady Dmitrievich Tsokolaev was a Soviet pilot, Guard senior lieutenant, the Hero of the Soviet Union. He was in the Red Army since 1936. In 1938 he graduated from the Yeisk Military Aviation School of Naval Pilots. He was a participant of the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940. Since June 1941 on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, he fought as a part of the 13th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet Air Force. Later he was a squadron commander in the 4th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 61st Aviation Brigade of the Baltic Front Air Force. By April 5, 1942, he had flown 309 sorties, participated in 38 air battles, shot down 6 enemy aircraft personally and 12 in a group. By April 1942, he had flown 309 sorties, shot down 6 enemy planes personally and 12 in a group in 38 air battles. By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On conferring the title of Hero of the Soviet Union to the commanding staff of the Navy” dated June 14, 1942, for “exemplary performance of combat missions of the command at the front of the struggle against the German invaders and the courage and heroism shown at the same time”, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. In the summer of 1943, he was seriously wounded, and after treatment, he was suspended from flight work. In 1944 he graduated from Higher Officer Courses at the Naval Academy. He worked at a factory in Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia). In 1965-1976 he lived in Moscow, worked at the Moscow Radio Engineering Plant. On July 13, 1976 he died in a car accident. He was buried in the Pantheon of Vladikavkaz.

Address: Moscow, Vereyskaya str., 29, p. 55B