Allegiance Soviet Union Years of service 1941-1948 Service/branch Soviet Air Forces | Battles/wars World War II Rank First lieutenant Name Irina Sebrova | |
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Native name Irina Fyodorovna Sebrova Awards Order of the Red Banner (3) Died April 5, 2000, Moscow, Russia | ||
Irina Feodorovna Sebrova (Russian: Ирина Фёдоровна Себрова) (December 25, 1914 – April 5, 2000) was a lieutenant and pilot for the Soviet Air Forces who served in the all-female Night Witches during the Second World War. Sebrova was awarded the title Hero of Soviet Union.
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Biography
Born in December 25, 1914 in Tetyakovka, Novomoskovsk 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, she was already an experienced flight instructor at the Frunze flight club in Moscow. In 1938, she graduated from the Moscow Aeroclub, and in 1940 she began training in military aviation.
Joining the Red Army in October 1941, she completed her military aviation studies and was assigned to the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, also known as the Night Witches, in 1942. Sebrova took part in 1008 bombing sorties against the Axis. Sebrova joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1943.
Sebrova retired from the Air Force in 1948, joining the Moscow Aviation Institute. She died in 2000 and is buried in Rakitin Cemetery.
Awards
On February 23, 1945, by decree of the Presidium, Sebrova was awarded the Hero of Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin.
Sebrova also received 3 Orders of the Red Banner; the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st and 2nd class; the Order of the Red Star; and various medals.