Ivan Kozhedub
Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub or Ivan Mykytovych Kozhedub (Russian: Иван Hикитович Кожедуб; Ukrainian: Іван Микитович Кожедуб; 8 June 1920 – 8 August 1991) was a Soviet World War II fighter ace. Universally credited with over 60 solo victories, he is considered to be the highest scoring Soviet and Allied fighter pilot of World War II. He is one of the few pilots to have shot down a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet, and the first Soviet pilot to have done so. He was made a Hero of the Soviet Union on three occasions (4 February 1944, 19 August 1944, and 18 August 1945). After World War II, he remained in the military and went on to command the 324th Fighter Aviation Division during Soviet operations in the Korean War.
Ivan Kozhedub | |
|---|---|
Kozhedub in 1949 | |
| Native name | Іван Микитович Кожедуб |
| Nickname(s) | Батя ("Dad"), Борода ("Beard") |
| Born | 8 June 1920 Obrazhiivka, Chernigov Governorate, Ukrainian SSR |
| Died | 8 August 1991 (aged 71) Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance | Soviet Union |
| Service/ | Soviet Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940–1985 |
| Rank | Marshal of Aviation |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union (thrice) |
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