Polina Gelman 1919 – 2005

Biography

Polina Gelman was born on October 24, 1919, in Berdychiv, a city in what is now Ukraine. She grew up during a transformative period in Soviet history and would go on to serve her country with distinction in the Soviet Air Force. Her life spanned most of the twentieth century, witnessing profound changes across her nation and the world.

Throughout her military career, Gelman earned recognition for her service and dedication, ultimately receiving the prestigious title of Hero of the Soviet Union—one of the highest honors that could be bestowed upon a citizen. This distinction reflected her exceptional contributions and courage during her time in the Air Force, a field in which few women of her era achieved such prominence.

Gelman spent her later years in Moscow, where she remained until her death on November 29, 2005, at the age of eighty-six. Her legacy was honored through her burial at Novodevichy Cemetery in the Khamovniki District, one of Russia’s most significant burial grounds, where many notable figures in Russian and Soviet history have been laid to rest. She is remembered as a pioneering woman who served with honor during a crucial chapter of Soviet history.