Leonid Ivanovich Borisov

Leonid Ivanovich Borisov was born in 1916 in the village of Pizhovo, now part of the Zaraysky District of the Moscow Oblast. With the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, he immediately went to the front.

Early Life and Initial Service

From June 1941 to November 1942, Borisov fought as part of the 43rd Fighter Aviation Regiment (IAP). Subsequently, he served with the 581st IAP, which was later redesignated as the 55th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. During his service, he flew iconic fighter aircraft such as the I-16 and the Yak-1.

Aerial Exploits and Recognition

On September 20, 1941, Junior Lieutenant L. I. Borisov, a flight commander with the 43rd IAP, engaged an enemy bomber near Kyiv. Flying an I-16, he executed a double ramming attack, successfully downing the enemy aircraft. Despite significant damage to his own plane, he managed to land it safely. For this extraordinary act of bravery, he was awarded the Order of Lenin.

In early 1943, near Stalingrad, Borisov performed yet another daring ramming attack, downing an additional enemy aircraft. His unwavering courage and combat prowess were hallmarks of his military career.

Tragically, Leonid Ivanovich Borisov did not return from a combat mission on July 10, 1943. He was posthumously awarded the Orders of Lenin and the Red Banner. Throughout his career, he completed 426 combat sorties, engaged in 128 aerial battles, and personally shot down 17 enemy aircraft, with an additional 10 victories shared in group with his comrades.