Ivan Kozhedub

 The horror of war… Those who once went through it will never forget what havoc it causes and how many lives it takes.  That is the reason why we should never obliterate Soviet soldiers who were fighting in World War II trying to bring peace to their nation.  One of those brave men who stood up for the country was a military aviator Ivan Kozhedub, a three-time Hero of the Soviet Union.

  Kozhedub was born on June 8, 1920 in the village Obrazhiyivka, Shostka district of the Sumy region. When the war broke out, he was at the Chuguyev military aviation school.  After he graduated as an aviation instructor Kozhedub wanted to enlist in the army. However, he was prevented from going to war because at that time he was more useful for preparing pilots to the military operations.

  His first combat was on March 26, 1943. Unfortunately, he lost his first battle. His plane was badly damaged, so after that dismal failure he conducted flights on rather old airplanes for a few months.

  On July 6, 1943 the young pilot gained his first victory by forcing down a Nazi Ju-87 bomber.  The next day he gained a new victory by bringing down another Ju-87. By October 1943 Senior Lieutenant Kozhedub had made 146 fighting starts and personally brought down 20 enemy planes. By that time he made good progress and was fighting as an equal with German air experts.  Kozhedub skillfully combined his piloting technique with firing skills making his plane a lethal weapon for enemies.

  His crowning achievement was when in 10 days of fierce fighting, he personally brought down 11 enemy planes. For that he was awarded with the order of the Hero of the Soviet Union on February 4, 1944. In May 1944 Kozhedub was promoted to captain and was given the right to command a squadron.

  During the war Kozhedub made a vast number of flights and each of them was a brilliant success. He personally brought down 62 enemy planes.

  After the war, Kozhedub continued to serve in the Air Forces. During the Korean War (1950 – 1953) he commanded the 324th Aviation Division, which gained 239 victories.  He was made an Aviation Marshal in 1985.

 The legendary pilot passed away on August 8, 1991. Ivan Kozhedub died as a hero who had won the respect of millions of people.