[Evgeny Velichko]

Drachenko Ivan Grigorevich the pilot of IL-2 of 140th Guards assault aviation regiment. Was born on November, 15th 1922 in village Great Sevastjanovka nowadays Hristianovsky area of the Cherkassk area in a family of the peasant. The Ukrainian. A member of the CPSU since 1944. The Leningrad aeroclub has left secondary school also.

In Red Army since April, 1941. In the summer of 1943 has ended the Tambov military aviation school of pilots and has been directed on front as the pilot-navigator.

The senior pilot of 140th Guards assault aviation regiment (8th Guards assault aviation division, 1st assault aviation corps, 5th air army, Steppe front) second lieutenant Drachenko I.G. on the Kursk arch has made guards 21 fighting departure, has destroyed 3 tanks, 20 cars with ammunition and manpower of the opponent, 4 AAA, a warehouse of ammunition, to a company of soldiers. It is awarded the order the Red Star.

On August, 14th, 1943 around Kharkov, rescuing the commander of a regiment, on IL-2 rammed a fighter of the opponent. Has landed on a parachute. At ramm attack was seriously injured. In an unconsciousness it is taken prisoner. In POW camp near Poltava the Soviet doctor has performed it difficult operation, but it was not possible to rescue the right eye. In September, 1943 it managed to run and pass a front line. After treatment in the Moscow hospital in March, 1944 has returned to the regiment. In medical documents it was told nothing about eye loss, and Drachenko has started over again to fly. Has made 34 more fighting departures, has destroyed 8 tanks, 12 cars, 2 antiaircraft batteries, a warehouse of ammunition, to a company of soldiers. It is awarded the order Patriotic war of 1 degree.

Note that, in case of eye loss and lack of visibility inside canopy of IL-2, Drachenko flew with open pilot canopy, what was extremly danagerous in case of heavy AA and small arms ground fire of german troops.

On April, 6th, 1944 during a departure on reconnaisance has been attacked by 5 fighters FW-190. By strongly damaged plane has managed to hold on to airdrome and to make landing. For brought valuable recon info he was awarded the order Glories of 3 degrees (the Decree from June, 5th, 1944).

On June, 26th, 1944 guards second lieutenant Drachenko has taken off at the head steams on investigation for area Jassy. At performance of the fighting task has engaged with German fighters and has beaten off all their attacks. Then has made assault attack an echelon at railway station Tuzira and with a military information has returned on the airdrome. It is awarded the order Glories of 2 degrees (the Decree from September, 5th, 1944). By autumn of 1944 for 55 successful fighting departures it is awarded the order Glories of 1 degree.

By August, 1944 has made 100 fighting departures on investigation, destruction of manpower and technics of the opponent. In 14 air fights has brought down 5 planes of the opponent.

The rank of the Hero of Soviet Union with delivery of an award of Lenin and medal Golden Star to Ivan Grigorevichu Drachenko is appropriated on October, 26th, 1944.

Later distinguished themselves in Vistula-Oder and Berlin operations, for which he was awarded Order of the Red Banner. The war ended with the rank of "Captain."

Total has made 151 sorties in 24 air battles knocked down 5 aircraft
the enemy, and 9 destroyed on the ground, smashed 4 bridges, destroyed
a lot of equipment and manpower of the enemy.

After the war he entered the Air Force Academy, but in 1947 by
health transferred to the reserve. In 1953 he graduated from the Law
Faculty of Kiev State University, then graduate school.
He worked as director of the school for working youth | 43, then deputy
Director of Culture Palace "Ukraine" in Kiev.

He was awarded the Order of Lenin, Red Banner, two Orders of the Patriotic War of 1 degree, the Order Red Star, the Glory 1, 2 and 3 degrees, medals.

Died November 16, 1994
year.