Ivan Kozhedub | |
---|---|
Native name | Иван Никитович Кожедуб |
Nickname(s) | Батя ("Dad"), Борода ("Beard") |
Born | June 8, 1920 Obrazhiyevka, Chernigov Governorate, Ukrainian SSR |
Died | 8 August 1991 Moscow, Soviet Union |
(aged 71)
Allegiance | Soviet Union |
Service/branch | Soviet Air Force |
Years of service | 1940–1985 |
Rank | Chief Marshal of aviation |
Battles/wars | Korean War |
Awards |
Chief Marshal of Aviation Ivan Kozhedub (Russian: Иван Hикитович Кожедуб; Ukrainian: Іван Микитович Кожедуб; June 8, 1920 – August 8, 1991) was a Soviet military aviator and a World War II fighter ace. Kozhedub took a part in the Korean War as a commander of the 324th Fighter Air Division. He is credited with 64 +2 (P-51) individual air victories, most of them flying the Lavochkin La-5 – the top scoring fighter pilot on the Allied side during World War II. He is one of the few pilots to have shot down a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet. He was made a Hero of the Soviet Union on three occasions (4 February 1944; 19 August 1944; 18 August 1945).