Vasily Afonin

Vasily Maximovich Afonin (Василий Максимович Афонин) (1919 — January 4, 1996) was a Soviet air ace who fought in the German-Soviet War.

Vasily Afonin also participated in the Winter War of 1939-1940.

During the German-Soviet War he fought with the 72 GIAP, flying at various times the LaGG-3, Yak-1, Yak-7, Yak-9 and Yak-3.

Retiring at the rank of lieutenant-colonel, Afonin was officially credited with 14 personal and 3 shared victories in the air (or 11 personal and 2 shared victories):

Honours and awards

 * Hero of the Russian Federation (2 May 1996)
 * Order of the Red Banner, three times (16 January 1943, 21 July 1943, 12 July 1944)
 * Order of the Patriotic War;
 * 1st Class (27 August 1943)
 * 2nd Class, twice (15 January 1945, 03 November 1985)
 * Medal for Combat Service
 * Jubilee Medal "In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary since the Birth of Vladimir Il'ich Lenin"
 * Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
 * Jubilee Medal "Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
 * Jubilee Medal "Thirty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
 * Jubilee Medal "Forty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
 * Jubilee Medal "50 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
 * Medal "For the Capture of Berlin"
 * Jubilee Medal "30 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy"
 * Jubilee Medal "50 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
 * Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
 * Jubilee Medal "70 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"