During the 1930s the young Kramarenko listened to radio broadcasts about the deeds of Soviet airmen like Valery Chkalov and Georgy Baydukov, and so decided to become a pilot.

In the autumn of 1940 he began a flying course at the Dzerzhinsky aeroclub, and as one of the 80 who graduated with the highest marks was offered the opportunity to become a military pilot.

Several escorting Fw 190s jumped his element leader Ryzhov and he promptly rushed to assist: In that moment in front of me, with a left turn at 100-150 meters arrived two unknown aircraft of green color - in their fuselages were black crosses.

I dove [...] Many years later, while I described this episode to a journalist friend of mine, he told me that he saw in German memoirs a report of the leader of that Schwarm.

He then fell prey to the Bf 110 wingman, who set his aircraft on fire and forced him to bail out with severe burns to face and hands.

Kramarenko was captured almost immediately by German troops, and as he was unwilling to answer the questions of his SS interrogator he was to be executed.

Kramarenko was appointed wingman to the Regiment navigator Major Aleksandr Kumanichkin, already an ace with 35 aerial victories ( he claimed five more in Korea).

[6] In 1946 the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment was redeployed to the aerodrome of Tyoply Stan on the south-west outskirts of Moscow and was among the first units to receive the new prop-driven La-9, the jet-propelled La-15, and in late 1949 the MiG-15.

Already the deputy commander of the 3rd squadron, Kramarenko flew the MiG-15 during the 1950 May Day fly-past over the Kremlin and Red Square, and on 14 August over Tushino airbase.

[8] Both regiments of the 324th Fighter Aviation Division redeployed to the forward airbase at Antung, and entered into battle in early April 1951.

Kramarenko noted that the main reason for such a defeat was their failure to enter Korean airspace at higher altitude and superior speed in comparison with American aircraft.

For example, reminded me the following combat: We flew in a zveno [a flight, a 4-airplanes formation] in the area assigned to patrol, having performed some circuits, when we spotted a group of eight Sabres, heading in a head-on course.

[12] His victory was probably confirmed by the interception of American radio dialogue: the F-86A Bu.No 49-1130 of Thomas C. Hanson (336th FIS, Killed), although USAF records list the aircraft as lost in an accident shortly after take-off.

[13] On 17 June 1951 Kramarenko and his six wingmen almost fell in an American ambush when they engaged eight Sabres who were acting as bait for three more F-86s lying in wait and ready to attack from above.

What follows is Kramarenko's account of the duel he had against an American ace of World War II: "Then the Sabres changed to another tactic.

Individual pairs of their most experienced pilots would sit off to the side, and when combat was joined would pounce on the trailing aircraft of our group, and frequently shoot them down.

Without thinking, in the space of a few hundredths of a second I reacted automatically, and my MiG momentarily did a half roll, dropping into a dive.

At that time I reversed my heading, passed over the Sabres and in a slight dive I led my aircraft to a small group of clouds.

This huge reservoir had a dam of 300 meters height and a power station which provided energy not only to half of Korea but also the whole North-East of China.

And that was what happened: the gunners accomplished their order to open fire at any intruder, and in front of me it appeared a dark cloud caused by the detonation of the anti-aircraft shells.

At that moment I preferred to eventually die in the hands of my fellow gunners, rather than the bullets of the Sabres, so I headed for the very center of a cloud.

In order to not lose consciousness I focused my attention in front of me and pinched the arteries in my neck, as I did not want the blood to leave my head.

I could only repeat what I wrote above.”[21] The USAF reported no Sabre loss on that date, but the fact that the US-Russia Joint Commission for POW-MIA interviewed him in 2002 looking for details on this kill indicates that this victory is unofficially admitted by the Americans.

{KORWALD shows a F-80C loss with the Pilot MIA[22]} On 17 January 1952 Kramarenko flew his last combat mission in Korea.

With a great deal of difficulty – as I was rammed into the left side of the aircraft – I managed to get my hand on the ejection seat control lever and pull it.

"[23] Kramarenko landed safely was found by a North Korean villager who took care of him until he was recovered by a search party and returned to Antung.

On the Eastern Front (World War II) Sergei Kramarenko scored two individual victories and 10 more group (shared) kills, plus a balloon.

During the Korean War he flew 104 combat sorties, engaged UN aircraft in 42 occasions, and was officially credited with 13 victories.

Pilot 1Lt Howard P. Miller remains recovered in "Operation Glory" [28] Likewise KORWALD reports that on 24 June 1951 a F-80C of 49th Ftr-Bmdr Gr/8th Ftr-Bmdr Sq-a Flight of 4 F-80s attacked by 12 MiG-15s, downed by MiG over Chonsodae (Sonchon); 1Lt Ernest C Dunning Jr captured and returned during Operation Big Switch.

Pilots from 176 Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment claimed nine Meteors destroyed on 1 December 1950, although only three were actually lost by 77 Sqn RAAF.