Even during the war, women were a tiny minority among combat troops, but they did serve in several combat roles, like tankers, pilots, snipers and machine gunners. 89 became Heroes of the Soviet Union (Medal of Honor equivalent). Just the female snipers had over 11,000 confirmed kills.
Senior Sergeant Roza Shanina did not get such a high award, but she is remembered because of the diary she kept during the war, which was later published. As a sniper, she was recognized for her ability to hit moving targets, and to string together doubles (hard with their bolt action rifles). She had 59 confirmed kills, before she had her torso blown open, while shielding the commander of the supporting artillery unit.