Soviet Officer Portrait – Lt. Colonel Andrei V. Kulagin – Double Red Star Recipient – 11th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment

Original Soviet officer portrait photograph depicting Andrei Vasilyevich Kulagin (1907–?), a decorated Soviet aviation officer and veteran of both the Winter War and the Great Patriotic War.

The reverse identifies him as Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Vasilyevich Kulagin, making this a fully named and documented portrait.

Digital archival research links this portrait to Kulagin, who served during the Second World War as Assistant Commander for Air Gunnery Service within the 11th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment (11 ORAP).

Kulagin, a Russian officer and Communist Party member since 1931, served in the Red Army from 1929. He participated in the Winter War (1939–1940) and later fought in the Great Patriotic War from 22 June 1941, serving on the:

• Bryansk Front
• Kalinin Front
• 1st Belorussian Front

Archival records confirm he was awarded the Order of the Red Star (Орден Красной Звезды) for distinguished wartime service.

The award citation highlights Kulagin’s major contribution to Soviet combat aviation training and operational readiness. Previously serving with the 683rd Assault Aviation Regiment, he helped retrain personnel for combat operations using the Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.

Later, within the 11th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment, Kulagin played a key role in training young flight crews in aerial gunnery, reconnaissance operations, and fighter defense tactics.

Under his instruction:

• 13 new flight crews were trained
• The regiment completed 550 combat reconnaissance sorties in 1944
• Crews survived 50 encounters with enemy fighters
• Combat losses remained exceptionally low, with only one aircraft lost and no personnel losses

The portrait shows Kulagin later in service as a Lieutenant Colonel, wearing an impressive medal bar including two Orders of the Red Star, alongside multiple Soviet wartime and postwar decorations.

A highly attractive researched Soviet aviation-related portrait with strong wartime provenance, named identification, and exceptional combat service history. A very desirable piece for collectors of Soviet Air Force and aviation-related material.

Included:

• Original portrait photograph
• Digital archival research scans