Order of the red banner SN163668

Armenian pilot Vardanyan flew 40 recon missions in WWII; notably, he used his machine gun to repel two ME-109 fighters during a mission over Saaremaa, bravely completing all tasks under fire.

In 1986, he wrote a book titled 

Flight to Immortality, which is a Documentary story about a fellow Armenian pilot, twice Hero of the Soviet Union N. G. Stepanyan

Vardanyan 163668 Order of the Red Banner Registration and Award Card

Registration Card
Medal Certificate No. 715109

1. Surname: Vardanyan

2. First Name and Patronymic: Nikolai Stepanovich
   (In Russian: Варданян Николай Степанович)

3. Military Rank: Lieutenant

4. Gender: Male

5. Year of Birth: 1923

6. Place of Birth: City of Yerevan

7. Political Affiliation: Became a probationary member of the Communist Party on October 1944

8. Education Level: Secondary

9. Nationality: Armenian

10. Period of Service in the Soviet Army: February 1941 – July 1946

11. Unit and Position at the Time of Award:
    13th Air Army, Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment, Unit Commander

12. Current Position and Unit:
    Physical Education Teacher, Tumanyan School

13. Home Address: 103 Mikoyan Lane

14. All Awards Received:

Signed by:
Military Commissar of Stalin District Military Commissariat,
Major Mirzoyan
Date: December 20, 1946

Here is the English translation of the document you provided:

1. Name and Patronymic
2. Military Rank: Second Lieutenant
3. Unit and Position:
Pilot of the 13th Independent Red Banner Leningrad Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment
Applying for Award: Order of the Red Banner
4. Year of Birth: 1923
5. Nationality: Armenian
6. Political Affiliation: Joined the Komsomol in 1938
7. Participation in Civil War, Great Patriotic War, or other battles defending the USSR:
Since May 1944, participated in the Great Patriotic War on the Leningrad Front
8. Wounded or Concussed: None
9. Year Joined the Army: 1941
10. Recruitment Location: Stalin District Military Commissariat, Yerevan City
11. Previous Awards: None
12. Home Address: (Not provided)

Brief Description of Deeds

Since May 13, 1944, to the present, as part of the 13th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment on the Leningrad Front, he has completed 40 reconnaissance and photographic flights targeting enemy operational and tactical rear transport lines.

He actively participated in offensive operations by the Leningrad Front to liberate Leningrad Oblast and Estonia from German-Fascist invaders. He conducted reconnaissance missions over railway stations, ports, airfields, roads, and railways in the areas of:
Võhma, Tartu, Jõgeva, Kalaste, Mustvee, Audru, Pärnu, Põltsamaa, Rakke, Viljandi, Muhu Island, Hiiumaa Island, and Saaremaa Island (all located in Estonia).

He frequently overcame intense anti-aircraft fire, enemy fighter pursuit, and challenging weather conditions, demonstrating strong courage, initiative, and determination in completing the tasks assigned by command.

During this period, he discovered and photographed:

• 174 trains

• 908 aircraft

• 49 steam locomotives

• 1,677 vehicles

• 69 ships

• 91 small boats

• 15 barges

• 8 tanks

• 6 cannons

• 127 horse-drawn carts

On September 16, 1944, during a reconnaissance flight over the Põltsamaa, Mustvee, and Kalaste areas, while photographing the Põltsamaa airfield, he came under intense enemy anti-aircraft fire but skillfully maneuvered and successfully completed the assigned mission.

On October 6, 1944, during a reconnaissance flight over Saaremaa Island, he photographed the route from Jämaja to Sääre, the Kagula airfield, and the Kuressaare port. He came under intense small-caliber anti-aircraft fire from enemy ships and was attacked by two ME-109 fighter planes near the Paila area. He repelled the attack with machine gun fire, skillfully maneuvered, evaded pursuit, and fully completed the task assigned by command.

For exemplary execution of combat missions and outstanding bravery, he deserves to be awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

Regimental Commander:
Lieutenant Colonel Mekhakovets
Date: December 1, 1944

Award Approved By:
Deputy Chief of Reconnaissance, Headquarters of the Leningrad Front – Colonel (signature unclear)
Date: December 5, 1944

Approved By:
Deputy Political Commander of the 13th Air Army – Colonel (signature unclear)
Date: December 13, 1944