Mariya Oktyabrskaya, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Mariya Oktyabrskaya

Soviet War Hero

Date of Birth: 03-Aug-1902

Place of Birth: Taurida Governorate

Date of Death: 15-Mar-1944

Profession: tankman

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Mariya Vasilyevna Oktyabrskaya (Russian: ????? ?????????? ???????????; 16 August 1905 – 15 March 1944) was a Soviet tank driver and mechanic who fought on the Eastern Front against Nazi Germany during World War II. After her husband was killed fighting in 1941, Oktyabrskaya sold her possessions to donate a tank for the war effort, and requested that she be allowed to drive it.
She donated and drove a T-34 medium tank, which she named "Fighting Girlfriend" ("?????? ???????"). Oktyabrskaya proved her ability and bravery in battle, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
After she died of wounds from battle in 1944, she was posthumously made a Hero of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union's highest honor for bravery during combat.
She was the first of only two female tank drivers to be awarded the title.