Vasily Osipov

Vasily Nikolaevich Osipov (Василий Николаевич Осипов, 30 December 1917 – 16 July 1991 in Saint Petersburg) was a Soviet-Armenian bomber pilot who was awarded the honorary title of Hero of the Soviet Union twice.

Vasily Osipov was born in Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg, Russia) on December 30 1917. In 1937 he joined ranks of the Red Army. In 1940 Osipov graduated from Chkalov military school of aviation. After World War II begun, he participated in combat on South and Southeast fronts. He received his first Hero gold medal on 20 June 1942, and second one on 13 March 1944. After war he continued his military career until 1954 when he had to retire due to health conditions. Then he lived in Leningrad until his death on 16 July 1991.