Vasily Dmitrievich Balashov (February 10, 1921-April 11, 1985) was a Soviet military pilot, participant in the Great Patriotic War, deputy squadron commander of the 8th Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment of the 8th Air Army of the Stalingrad Front, captain. Hero of the Soviet Union (24.08.1943), colonel of the reserve since 1967. He was born on February 10, 1921 on the farm Dor Rzhevsky district of Tver province (now Rzhevsky district of Tver region). By nationality-Russian. He graduated from Junior high school. Until 1938, he worked as a locksmith at the car repair station Rzhev-I. Since 1938, he was in the ranks of the Red Army. In 1940, he graduated from the Voroshilovgrad military aviation school of pilots. He was in the active army during the Great Patriotic War since 1941. In the battle for Stalingrad, he showed unparalleled courage and bravery. His skilful actions repeatedly aroused the admiration of the command and subordinates. Many times he participated in conducting aerial reconnaissance during the day and night to identify the accumulation of troops, defensive structures and movement of enemy echelons. Repeatedly, despite serious damage to the aircraft, returned to his airfield. By May 1943, captain Balashov had made 210 successful combat missions to reconnoiter enemy troops and communications. In the battle of Stalingrad, he made 45 combat sorties, photographing the territory with a total area of 14.5 thousand square kilometers. According to the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 24, 1943, Vasily Balashov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star Medal for the exemplary performance of combat missions of the command at the front of the fight against the German invaders and the courage and heroism shown in it. (№ 1137).After the war, he worked in the DOSAAF system. In 1967, Colonel V. D. Balashov retired to the reserve. He lived in the city of Krasnodar. He died on April 11, 1985. Awards: Gold Star Medal Of The Hero Of The Soviet Union (No. 1137) Order of Lenin Three orders of the Red Banner, Order of Alexander Nevsky, two orders of the Patriotic War I degree, Order of the Red Star. Medals, including: 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»