Hero of the Soviet Union, honorary citizen of the Nizhny Novgorod region Alexander Mikhailovich Kuznetsov died yesterday at the 100th year of his life. He, a 20-year-old senior lieutenant, received the Gold Star of the Hero in November 1943 "for heroism, courage, resourcefulness, skillful leadership of the unit during the crossing of the Dnieper, holding the bridgehead for five days."
Thus, out of more then 11 thousands, only seven Heroes of the Soviet Union remained alive, who received Gold Stars for exploits committed during the Great Patriotic War:
1) Colonel-General of Aviation Vasily Vasilyevich Reshetnikov (born December 23, 1919); at the time of presentation to the title of Hero— commander of a squadron of a long-range airplanes regiment, later — a prominent Soviet military commander, commander of long-range aviation of the USSR Air Force (1969 - 1980), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the USSR Air Force (1980 - 1986). Lives in Monino (Moscow region).
2) Boris Vasilyevich Kravtsov (b. 12/28/1922); at the time of presentation to the title of Hero — head of the intelligence division of the Guards artillery regiment, later — a prominent state and party figure, Minister of Justice of the USSR (1984 — 1989). Lives in Moscow.
3) Aviation Colonel Nikolai Naumovich Kirtok (born 06.12.1920); at the time of presentation to the title of Hero — commander of a squadron of attack aircraft, later — an employee of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces. Lives in Moscow.
4) Colonel of State Security Sergey Dmitrievich Romanovtsev (born 29.09.1925); at the time of submission to the title of Hero — commander of a machine—gun crew, later - an officer of the foreign intelligence service. Retired colonel. Lives in Moscow.
5) Colonel Georgy Fedorovich Platonov (b. 04.04.1923); at the time of presentation to the title of Hero — squadron commander of the Guards cavalry regiment. He lives in the city of Khvalynsk (Saratov region).
6) Andrey Lavrentievich Titenko (b. 12/15/1918); at the time of submission to the title of Hero — commander of a battery of 45 mm guns. He lives in the city of Izobilny (Stavropol Territory).
7) Shabsa Mendelevich Mashkautsan (born 06.01.1924); during the war, he was a gunner of a fighter-anti-tank battalion. Lives in New Haven (Connecticut, USA).
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