Rtishchev, Valerian Nikolaevich

Orthodox. From the hereditary nobles of the Tambov province.

He graduated from the Vladikavkaz Real School (1908) and Mikhailovsky Artillery School (1912), from where he was released as a second lieutenant to the Grenadier Mortar Artillery Division. He was a junior officer of the 2nd battery, and then the clerk of the same battery. Manufactured on assignments on August 6, 1914.

July 17, 1915 was sent to the Sevastopol Military Aviation School, but September 18 was expelled as poorly performing. From October 1, 1915 he was listed in the 3rd Army Aviation Squad, was the head of the artillery economy of the squad and the treasurer. From March 26 to April 2, 1916 he participated in the air protection of the Imperial Residence in Khotyn . He died in aerial combat on July 11, 1916. He was awarded the Order of St. George 4th degree

For being in the rank of lieutenant during aerial reconnaissance on July 11, 1916, observing from a Voisin system apparatus and meeting a fighter of the Fokker system enemy over the enemy’s location, heroically entered into an unequal battle, firing at him him from a machine gun until, after catching fire at an altitude of 1200 meters, due to an explosion of an enemy gas tank pierced by a bullet, he did not fall and did not crash, capturing his heroic deed by his death.

Posthumously promoted to headquarters captain on September 17, 1916.

• Order of St. Stanislav 3rd Art. with swords and bow (1914)
• Order of St. Anne 4th Art. with the inscription "for courage" (1914)
• Order of St. Anne, 3rd art. with swords and bow (VP 02.12.1915)
• Order of St. Vladimir 4th art. with swords and bow (VP 07.06.1916)
• Order of St. Anne, 2nd art. with swords (06/13/1916)
• Order of St. Stanislav, 2nd art. with swords (VP ​​28.09.1916)
• Order of St. George 4th Art. (PAF 05/05/1917)

• Biography on the site "Russian Imperial Army"
• Biography on the site "Aviation and Aeronautics before the Second World War"