Measures 2 ½" x 3 ½", printed on matte cardboard photo paper. The image presents an Air Force Captain wearing the Gold Star of Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin that was issued with it, an Order of the Red Star, three Orders of the Red Banner, and a Medal for Defense of Caucasus. The archival entry on the verso is not dated but the decorations Zubkova is wearing suggest that the photo was taken no later than late 1945.

In excellent condition. The photo is in sharp focus and completely wear-free. The verso shows traces of old glue but all the text, the stamp of the Kr

Measures 2 ½" x 3 ½", printed on matte cardboard photo paper. The image presents an Air Force Captain wearing the Gold Star of Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin that was issued with it, an Order of the Red Star, three Orders of the Red Banner, and a Medal for Defense of Caucasus. The archival entry on the verso is not dated but the decorations Zubkova is wearing suggest that the photo was taken no later than late 1945.

In excellent condition. The photo is in sharp focus and completely wear-free. The verso shows traces of old glue but all the text, the stamp of the Krasnopresnensky District Military Commissariat of Moscow and the hand signature of the District Commissar are clear and legible.

Antonina Zubkova was born in 1920 to the family of a peasant. The Patriotic War began when she was a third-year student of the Mechanical-Mathematical Faculty of the Moscow State University. In October 1941 Komsomol directed her to report to Marina Raskova, a famous Soviet aviator who was forming female Air Force regiments. Thus Zubkova became a pilot and squadron navigator with the 125th Guards Bombers Regiment, 4th Guards Bombers Division, 1st Bombers Air Force Corps, 1st Baltic Front, and served there throughout the war.

On 18 August 1945, Senior Lieutenant Antonina Zubkova was awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union. The award commendation cites a very large number of combat missions (56). Over the course of the war she, as a squadron navigator, led 393 Pe-2 light bombers, of them twice a column of 54 airplanes. She personally dropped 50.4 tons of bombs on the enemy. There were so many episodes where she distinguished herself in combat that the award commendation document is a very impressive five pages long.

After the war Zubkova completed her studies in the Moscow State University and graduated with distinction, followed by completed post-graduate course in the Mechanical Institute. She taught Mechanics at the Zhukovsky Air Force Academy. Died in a tragic accident on 13 November 1950.

Research Materials: photo copy of the award document for the Hero of the Soviet Union.

Please note that the penny in our photo is for size reference.
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