Background
Andrey was born September 4, 1921, in Staroye Zakhruzhie village (now Vetkovsky district, Homel region), Belarus in in the family of the workers.
Andrey was born September 4, 1921, in Staroye Zakhruzhie village (now Vetkovsky district, Homel region), Belarus in in the family of the workers.
He finished seven classes in School #20, Mogilev town.
In 1939, he graduated from Mogilev flying club.
In 1945 he finished High officer’s flight-tactical courses, Air Force.
In 1954 he graduated from The Air Force Academy.
Since 1936, he worked on the Mogilev auto repair factory as a mechanic.
In 1940, he was recruited in the Red Army, and was sent to the front in June 1942. He participated in battles in the skies above the South, Zakavkaz, North-Kavkaz and 2nd Belarusian front and fought as a part of the Separate seaside army.
In 1943, he became a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
The Deputy Commander of the squadron, 249 Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 229th Fighter Aviation Division, the 4th Air Army Andrey Kulagin till February 1944 committed 320 flights, in 160 air battles hit 22 enemy aircraft alone and 4 – as a part of the battle group.
By the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR’s Decree, July 1, 1944, he was awarded Hero of the Soviet Union title for “exemplary fulfillment of the combat missions and the courage and heroism shown at that time” and received Order of Lenin.
“The falcon of Stalin”
Until the end of the war, Kulagin committed 762 successful flights, took part in 142 air battles, hit 32 enemy aircraft alone and 7 – as a part of the battle group.
After the war, A.M. Kulagin continued his service in Air Force. However, in 1955 he was sent to the reserve.
He lived in Minsk and worked on a party job. Since 1959, he was an instructor of the Zavodsky district Committee, and in 1961 – an instructor and head of the administrative department of the Central Committee, the Communist Party of Belarus.
He was chosen as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Belarus, of the 2nd convocation.
He died August 20, 1980 and was buried in Minsk at East cemetery.
There is a plaque devoted to him on the house #80, Nezhavisimosty Avenue, Minsk.
In 1943, he became a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. After he was sent to the reserve, Kulagin lived in Minsk and worked on a party job. Since 1959, he was an instructor of the Zavodsky district Committee, and in 1961 – an instructor and head of the administrative department of the Central Committee, the Communist Party of Belarus.
