Marshal of Aviation Ivan Mykytovych Kozhedub (Ukrainian: Іван Микитович Кожедуб, Russian: Иван Никитович Кожедуб, June 8, 1920 — August 12, 1991) was a Soviet military aviator of Ukrainian descent and a World War II fighter ace. He is credited with 62 individual air victories, most of them flying the Lavochkin La-5. He is one of the few Soviet pilots to shoot 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).
He was born in the village of Obrazhievka, a settlement in the Sumy region, Ukrainian SSR, the youngest of five children. He learned to fly in the Shostkinsk aeroclub and joined the army in 1940. He graduated from the Chuguyevsk Military Air School in 1941, but he was retained as an instructor. Here, he trained many young Soviet pilots.
Feeling his talents would be better used in combat, he requested a transfer to an operational unit and in March 1943 was posted, as a Starshii Serzhant (Senior Sergeant), to 240th IAP, one of the first units to receive the new Lavochkin La-5. He operated on the Voronezh Front and, in July, over the Kursk battlefields. His first kill was a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, shot down over Pokrova on 6 July 1943. By 16 July, he had claimed eight air victories. He was promoted to Mladshii Leitenant (Junior Lieutenant). Then his unit moved towards Kharkov. At this time, he usually flew escort for Petlyakov Pe-2 twin-engine bombers. During World War II, he then served as a fighter pilot in several areas (Steppe Front, 2nd Ukrainian Front, 1st Belorussian Front) and at different ranks, starting from senior airman up to the deputy commander of the air regiment. He claimed his 61st and 62nd victories - his final claims - over Berlin on 16 April 1945.
He holds the record for the highest number of confirmed air combat victories of any Soviet or Allied pilot (effectively the Allied "Ace of Aces") during the 'Great Patriotic War'.He is regarded as the best Soviet flying ace of the war, and is associated with flying the Lavochkin La-7. He was also reputed to have a natural gift for 'deflection shooting', i.e. the rare ability to hit targets from very oblique angles.
Kozhedub's World War II record consists of:
* 330 combat missions
* 120 aerial engagements
* 62 enemy aircraft shot down, including one Me 262 jet fighter.
In April 1951, promoted to Polkovnik (colonel), he commanded the 324th IAD (Fighter Air Division), dispatched to Antung, on the China-North Korea border, to fly the MiG 15[3] during the Korean War on the North Korean side. He was not given permission to participate in combat missions. However, he did so anyway under the pseudonym Lee Si Tsin.
Kozhedub was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin three times (1944, 1944, 1945), seven Orders of the Red Banner, Order of Alexander Nevsky, two Orders of the Red Star, Order of the Patriotic War First Class, Order of Alexander Nevsky, and numerous medals.As with other famous figures, some myths have sprung up around Kozhedub's life.
One story is that once he encountered a group of American B-17 Flying Fortresses under attack by Luftwaffe aircraft. The story goes on to suggest that his aircraft was mistaken by American escort fighters for the enemy and attacked. Kozhedub, having no other option, defended himself by shooting down two of the P-51 Mustangs. So far, this story is not confirmed completely. Film footage exists that had been touted as Kozhedub's actual gun camera film from the event. However, it is highly suspect, as the footage was shot using Zeiss equipment, which was used primarily by the Luftwaffe, and the aircraft shown in the footage are shown with drop tanks attached.
This would seem to contradict the story that Kozhedub was jumped by the P-51s, as the attacking fighters would normally drop these tanks before entering combat. A more likely story is that the gun camera footage was from a Luftwaffe aircraft which attacked American aircraft in an unrelated incident. However, another aircraft was shown without drop tanks, which can mean that the first pilot was unable or forgot to release his tanks, or perhaps even decided not to do so.
It seems that Ivan was not awarded any US medals in similar to other Soviet aces,most of his life he insisted of being a soldier nothing but this.
He was born in the village of Obrazhievka, a settlement in the Sumy region, Ukrainian SSR, the youngest of five children. He learned to fly in the Shostkinsk aeroclub and joined the army in 1940. He graduated from the Chuguyevsk Military Air School in 1941, but he was retained as an instructor. Here, he trained many young Soviet pilots.
Feeling his talents would be better used in combat, he requested a transfer to an operational unit and in March 1943 was posted, as a Starshii Serzhant (Senior Sergeant), to 240th IAP, one of the first units to receive the new Lavochkin La-5. He operated on the Voronezh Front and, in July, over the Kursk battlefields. His first kill was a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, shot down over Pokrova on 6 July 1943. By 16 July, he had claimed eight air victories. He was promoted to Mladshii Leitenant (Junior Lieutenant). Then his unit moved towards Kharkov. At this time, he usually flew escort for Petlyakov Pe-2 twin-engine bombers. During World War II, he then served as a fighter pilot in several areas (Steppe Front, 2nd Ukrainian Front, 1st Belorussian Front) and at different ranks, starting from senior airman up to the deputy commander of the air regiment. He claimed his 61st and 62nd victories - his final claims - over Berlin on 16 April 1945.
He holds the record for the highest number of confirmed air combat victories of any Soviet or Allied pilot (effectively the Allied "Ace of Aces") during the 'Great Patriotic War'.He is regarded as the best Soviet flying ace of the war, and is associated with flying the Lavochkin La-7. He was also reputed to have a natural gift for 'deflection shooting', i.e. the rare ability to hit targets from very oblique angles.
Kozhedub's World War II record consists of:
* 330 combat missions
* 120 aerial engagements
* 62 enemy aircraft shot down, including one Me 262 jet fighter.
In April 1951, promoted to Polkovnik (colonel), he commanded the 324th IAD (Fighter Air Division), dispatched to Antung, on the China-North Korea border, to fly the MiG 15[3] during the Korean War on the North Korean side. He was not given permission to participate in combat missions. However, he did so anyway under the pseudonym Lee Si Tsin.
Kozhedub was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin three times (1944, 1944, 1945), seven Orders of the Red Banner, Order of Alexander Nevsky, two Orders of the Red Star, Order of the Patriotic War First Class, Order of Alexander Nevsky, and numerous medals.As with other famous figures, some myths have sprung up around Kozhedub's life.
One story is that once he encountered a group of American B-17 Flying Fortresses under attack by Luftwaffe aircraft. The story goes on to suggest that his aircraft was mistaken by American escort fighters for the enemy and attacked. Kozhedub, having no other option, defended himself by shooting down two of the P-51 Mustangs. So far, this story is not confirmed completely. Film footage exists that had been touted as Kozhedub's actual gun camera film from the event. However, it is highly suspect, as the footage was shot using Zeiss equipment, which was used primarily by the Luftwaffe, and the aircraft shown in the footage are shown with drop tanks attached.
This would seem to contradict the story that Kozhedub was jumped by the P-51s, as the attacking fighters would normally drop these tanks before entering combat. A more likely story is that the gun camera footage was from a Luftwaffe aircraft which attacked American aircraft in an unrelated incident. However, another aircraft was shown without drop tanks, which can mean that the first pilot was unable or forgot to release his tanks, or perhaps even decided not to do so.
It seems that Ivan was not awarded any US medals in similar to other Soviet aces,most of his life he insisted of being a soldier nothing but this.
Marshal of Aviation Ivan Mykytovych Kozhedub (Ukrainian: Іван Микитович Кожедуб, Russian: Иван Никитович Кожедуб, June 8, 1920 — August 12, 1991) was a Soviet military aviator of Ukrainian descent and a World War II fighter ace. He is credited with 62 individual air victories, most of them flying the Lavochkin La-5. He is one of the few Soviet pilots to shoot 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).
He was born in the village of Obrazhievka, a settlement in the Sumy region, Ukrainian SSR, the youngest of five children. He learned to fly in the Shostkinsk aeroclub and joined the army in 1940. He graduated from the Chuguyevsk Military Air School in 1941, but he was retained as an instructor. Here, he trained many young Soviet pilots.
Feeling his talents would be better used in combat, he requested a transfer to an operational unit and in March 1943 was posted, as a Starshii Serzhant (Senior Sergeant), to 240th IAP, one of the first units to receive the new Lavochkin La-5. He operated on the Voronezh Front and, in July, over the Kursk battlefields. His first kill was a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, shot down over Pokrova on 6 July 1943. By 16 July, he had claimed eight air victories. He was promoted to Mladshii Leitenant (Junior Lieutenant). Then his unit moved towards Kharkov. At this time, he usually flew escort for Petlyakov Pe-2 twin-engine bombers. During World War II, he then served as a fighter pilot in several areas (Steppe Front, 2nd Ukrainian Front, 1st Belorussian Front) and at different ranks, starting from senior airman up to the deputy commander of the air regiment. He claimed his 61st and 62nd victories - his final claims - over Berlin on 16 April 1945.
He holds the record for the highest number of confirmed air combat victories of any Soviet or Allied pilot (effectively the Allied "Ace of Aces") during the 'Great Patriotic War'.He is regarded as the best Soviet flying ace of the war, and is associated with flying the Lavochkin La-7. He was also reputed to have a natural gift for 'deflection shooting', i.e. the rare ability to hit targets from very oblique angles.
Kozhedub's World War II record consists of:
* 330 combat missions
* 120 aerial engagements
* 62 enemy aircraft shot down, including one Me 262 jet fighter.
In April 1951, promoted to Polkovnik (colonel), he commanded the 324th IAD (Fighter Air Division), dispatched to Antung, on the China-North Korea border, to fly the MiG 15[3] during the Korean War on the North Korean side. He was not given permission to participate in combat missions. However, he did so anyway under the pseudonym Lee Si Tsin.
Kozhedub was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin three times (1944, 1944, 1945), seven Orders of the Red Banner, Order of Alexander Nevsky, two Orders of the Red Star, Order of the Patriotic War First Class, Order of Alexander Nevsky, and numerous medals.As with other famous figures, some myths have sprung up around Kozhedub's life.
One story is that once he encountered a group of American B-17 Flying Fortresses under attack by Luftwaffe aircraft. The story goes on to suggest that his aircraft was mistaken by American escort fighters for the enemy and attacked. Kozhedub, having no other option, defended himself by shooting down two of the P-51 Mustangs. So far, this story is not confirmed completely. Film footage exists that had been touted as Kozhedub's actual gun camera film from the event. However, it is highly suspect, as the footage was shot using Zeiss equipment, which was used primarily by the Luftwaffe, and the aircraft shown in the footage are shown with drop tanks attached.
This would seem to contradict the story that Kozhedub was jumped by the P-51s, as the attacking fighters would normally drop these tanks before entering combat. A more likely story is that the gun camera footage was from a Luftwaffe aircraft which attacked American aircraft in an unrelated incident. However, another aircraft was shown without drop tanks, which can mean that the first pilot was unable or forgot to release his tanks, or perhaps even decided not to do so.
It seems that Ivan was not awarded any US medals in similar to other Soviet aces,most of his life he insisted of being a soldier nothing but this.
He was born in the village of Obrazhievka, a settlement in the Sumy region, Ukrainian SSR, the youngest of five children. He learned to fly in the Shostkinsk aeroclub and joined the army in 1940. He graduated from the Chuguyevsk Military Air School in 1941, but he was retained as an instructor. Here, he trained many young Soviet pilots.
Feeling his talents would be better used in combat, he requested a transfer to an operational unit and in March 1943 was posted, as a Starshii Serzhant (Senior Sergeant), to 240th IAP, one of the first units to receive the new Lavochkin La-5. He operated on the Voronezh Front and, in July, over the Kursk battlefields. His first kill was a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, shot down over Pokrova on 6 July 1943. By 16 July, he had claimed eight air victories. He was promoted to Mladshii Leitenant (Junior Lieutenant). Then his unit moved towards Kharkov. At this time, he usually flew escort for Petlyakov Pe-2 twin-engine bombers. During World War II, he then served as a fighter pilot in several areas (Steppe Front, 2nd Ukrainian Front, 1st Belorussian Front) and at different ranks, starting from senior airman up to the deputy commander of the air regiment. He claimed his 61st and 62nd victories - his final claims - over Berlin on 16 April 1945.
He holds the record for the highest number of confirmed air combat victories of any Soviet or Allied pilot (effectively the Allied "Ace of Aces") during the 'Great Patriotic War'.He is regarded as the best Soviet flying ace of the war, and is associated with flying the Lavochkin La-7. He was also reputed to have a natural gift for 'deflection shooting', i.e. the rare ability to hit targets from very oblique angles.
Kozhedub's World War II record consists of:
* 330 combat missions
* 120 aerial engagements
* 62 enemy aircraft shot down, including one Me 262 jet fighter.
In April 1951, promoted to Polkovnik (colonel), he commanded the 324th IAD (Fighter Air Division), dispatched to Antung, on the China-North Korea border, to fly the MiG 15[3] during the Korean War on the North Korean side. He was not given permission to participate in combat missions. However, he did so anyway under the pseudonym Lee Si Tsin.
Kozhedub was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin three times (1944, 1944, 1945), seven Orders of the Red Banner, Order of Alexander Nevsky, two Orders of the Red Star, Order of the Patriotic War First Class, Order of Alexander Nevsky, and numerous medals.As with other famous figures, some myths have sprung up around Kozhedub's life.
One story is that once he encountered a group of American B-17 Flying Fortresses under attack by Luftwaffe aircraft. The story goes on to suggest that his aircraft was mistaken by American escort fighters for the enemy and attacked. Kozhedub, having no other option, defended himself by shooting down two of the P-51 Mustangs. So far, this story is not confirmed completely. Film footage exists that had been touted as Kozhedub's actual gun camera film from the event. However, it is highly suspect, as the footage was shot using Zeiss equipment, which was used primarily by the Luftwaffe, and the aircraft shown in the footage are shown with drop tanks attached.
This would seem to contradict the story that Kozhedub was jumped by the P-51s, as the attacking fighters would normally drop these tanks before entering combat. A more likely story is that the gun camera footage was from a Luftwaffe aircraft which attacked American aircraft in an unrelated incident. However, another aircraft was shown without drop tanks, which can mean that the first pilot was unable or forgot to release his tanks, or perhaps even decided not to do so.
It seems that Ivan was not awarded any US medals in similar to other Soviet aces,most of his life he insisted of being a soldier nothing but this.
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