the Soviet Union for this feat. In July 1937, Gromov, Andrey Yumashev, and Sergey Danilin a new non-stop flight distance record of from Moscow to San Jacinto, California, via the North Pole in a Tupolev ANT-25. Service in World War II During World War II, Gromov took command of several units: From December 1941 to February 1942, Gromov was commander of 31st Mixed Aviation Division (Kalinin Front). From February to May 1942, he was commander of the Air Force of Kalinin Front. From May 1942 to May 1943, he took command of the 3rd Air Army. From May 1943 to June 1944, he was commander of the 1st Air Army. From 1944 to 1946, Gromov was head of the Main Department of combat training of frontline aviation of the Air Force. Miscellaneous From 1959 to 1961, Gromov headed the Weightlifting Federation of USSR. Gromov used his influence and renown to attain reconsideration of Sergei Korolev's case, which resulted in Korolev's transfer from the prison camp at Kolyma to TsKB-29. Gromov lived in Moscow. Gromov's wife, Nina Georgievna Gromova (1922–2019), was an equestrian sportswoman. Gromov died on January 22 1985 in Moscow. He is buried at Novodevichy Cemetery. Commemorations Monuments In philately In phaleristics The Gromov Medal was established in March 2011 by the Gromov Flight Research Institute as a highest corporate award in memory of the founder of the institute. References External links Biography on the old and frozen LII website Громов, Михаил Михайлович // Большая Советская Энциклопедия. / под ред. А. М. Прохорова. 3-е изд. том 7. М., «Советская энциклопедия», 1972 S. P. Korolev. Encyclopedia of life and creativity / Editor C. A. Lopota, RSC Energia, 2014 1899 births 1985 deaths Russian aviators Soviet World War II pilots Heroes of the Soviet Union Soviet colonel generals Soviet Air Force generals Soviet test pilots Russian aviation record holders Soviet aviation record holders Flight distance record holders Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner Recipients of the Order of Suvorov, 2nd class Commandeurs of the Légion d'honneur Gromov Flight Research Institute employees Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute employees People from Tver People from Tver Governorate Burials at Novodevichy Cemetery