Maresyev Alexey Petrovich: biography, feat

Maresyev Alexei Petrovich, whose biography is described in the article, is a famous Soviet pilot, a hero that every schoolboy of the USSR knew. The story of this amazing man is a true story about the great willpower and unbroken spirit.

Childhood

A.P. Maresiev May 7, 1916 in a small town Kamyshin Kamyshinsky district in the Russian Empire. His father's name was Pyotr Avdesevich Maresyev, and his mother was Ekaterina Nikitichna. Little information remained about Father Aleksei. It is only known that he died when the future hero was only three years old. Mother had to bring up the three sons. Of course, it was difficult for a young widow to feed, dress, and raise children, but judging by the results of her labors, she did it very well. Money in the family usually was not enough, so they lived modestly. Ekaterina Nikitichna worked at the woodworking factory as a cleaner. When the sons grew up - Peter, Alexei and Nikolai - they helped their mothers in the household and did their best to support her.

Study

After reaching seven years Maresyev Alexei Petrovich, whose biography teaches courage and fortitude, went to a comprehensive school in his native town. After his graduation, he entered the school, where he studied for a metal turner and went to work at the same plant where his mother worked.

However, the soul of the young Alexis did not lie to the Tokar business. In his thoughts he always drew to himself an incomprehensible sky and dreamed of flying like a bird. From the very childhood, the future pilot Maresyev was very persistent and purposeful. Inspired by dreams of the sky, he twice sent his documents to the flight school, but for the first and second time he was denied. The reason for the refusal was the severe malaria suffered by Alexei in childhood. Because of this disease, the young man developed rheumatism already at a young age, and the immunity was severely undermined.

In 1934, at the age of 18, the guy was sent to build the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. There, the young man in addition to the main work begins to engage in an aero club. Dreams of heaven never left him. In 1937, he was able to face the height of the blue skies face to face. This year A.P. Maresiev was drafted into the Red Army. At first he served in Sakhalin in an aviation border detachment, and then entered the aviation school. From that moment the path to the dream, which was so long cherished by Maresyev Alexei Petrovich, began. His biography has changed dramatically.

War

Unfortunately, clouds are found in the cloudless sky. So, in 1939 a young pilot, being an instructor in Bataisk, met the Second World War in an aviation school. In the summer of 1941 he was sent to the military fighter regiment. For the first time the plane Maresyeva flew into battle in August 1941. During the fighting, the pilot Maresyev heroically tore into an air attack and bravely rushed at the enemy, showing miracles of courage. In less than six months, Alexei shot down 4 enemy fighters, but one day an enemy machine gun overtook and shot down Maresiev's plane. This happened in early April 1942. Being in consciousness, but being badly wounded, the pilot was forced to immediately land the car. With crippled legs, the hero was alone on an unfamiliar land. However, despite the pain and fear, Alexei Petrovich Maresyev, whose biography is an example for every defender of the Motherland, was not going to surrender to death. Feeding on bark of trees, plants, berries and cones, the wounded pilot crawling, bleeding for 18 days, reached the front line. When he had completely lost the hope of salvation, two children had found him, bloody and exhausted, near the village. The boys were called to help the elders. Maresyev drove to the village and settled in one of the houses. Kind people tried in every possible way to help the soldier and save his life. Soon he was in critical condition was taken to the hospital. Damage was very serious. Maresiev started gangrene and sepsis. None of the doctors took it. From the death of the pilot saved the surgeon Terebinsky. Maresiev had to amputate two legs to the knees, but his life was saved.

Despite the disability, Alexei Petrovich did not give up, but decided to fight to the end. It is difficult to imagine, but this pilot, being a cripple, achieved the return to the front. After the injury, he continued to fly and shoot down enemy aircraft. Even after returning to service, he shot down seven German fighters. In this he was helped by prostheses, on which Maresiev not only learned to walk and fly, but also to dance a waltz! For his courage and valor, he received many awards, as well as the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union". Maresyev A.P. This is an example of incredible courage and an amazing desire to win.

Postwar time

After the war, the hero of our article worked as an instructor at the school of the Air Force. He always maintained a good physical shape. Swam, skating, skiing, biking. He set a personal record for swimming and swam across the Volga at Kuibyshev (2.2 km) in 55 minutes.

This power of will and zeal for life can only be envied. Became the idol of his students, many pilots and just civilians Alexei Maresiev. Biography and his exploit formed the basis of B. Polevoy's book "A Tale of a Real Man". He was invited to many events and knew almost every house. He was told about it to children at school and set as an example to the younger generation.

Personal life

Maresyev AP was married. Galina's wife gave him two sons: Victor and Alexei. Victor became an engineer-motorist, but Alexey, unfortunately, was disabled since childhood. The family lived quite peacefully and happily.

Awards

Alexei Petrovich - Hero of the Soviet Union. He was awarded many awards. He received the Order "For Services to the Fatherland", for social work and education of patriotism among the youth was awarded the Order of Friendship, awarded the Order of the October Revolution and Red Banner. His incredible courage and fortitude were marked by the Order of the Patriotic War. He received many other awards, as well as special thanks to the President of the Russian Federation.

Leaving a life

Maresiev died on May 18, 2001. In honor of his 85th birthday, a concert was organized at the Russian Army Theater in Moscow, where Maresiev was to be an honored guest. But unfortunately, Alexei Petrovich stopped his heart before the beginning of the solemn part. The hero passed away. The concert in his honor was started by a minute of silence.