Ivan Kozhedub
(Marshal) Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub ((Ukrainian: Іван Микитович Кожедуб, Russian: Иван Никитович Кожедуб, June 8, 1920 — August 12, 1991) was a Soviet military aviator of Ukrainian descent. He was made a Hero of the Soviet Union on three occasions (February 4, 1944; August 19, 1944; August 18, 1945).
He was born in the village of Obrazheyevka in Ukrainian SSR, the youngest of five children. After achieving excellent results at the Chuhuiv military aviation school, he stayed on as an instructor and trained many young Soviet pilots. Feeling his talents would be better used in combat, he requested a transfer to an active service unit, and by March 1943, he was on the front lines flying the Lavochkin La-5. During World War II, he served as a fighter pilot from March of 1943 onwards on several fronts (Voronezh Front, Steppe Front, 2nd Ukrainian Front, 1st Belorussian Front) and at different ranks, starting from Senior airman (flying the Lavochkin La-5) up to the Deputy commander of the air regiment. He is regarded as the best Soviet flying ace of the war, and is mostly associated with flying the Lavochkin La-7. He holds the record for confirmed air combat victories amongst all Allied air force pilots (effectively the Allied "Ace of Aces") during WWII. He has also been notoriously known among Soviet Air Force pilots as an ace who has lost a record number of his wingmen during his combat missions[citation needed]. He is also reputed to have the unusual ability to shoot targets at very oblique angles.
In April 1951, he was the commander of the 324th Fighter Air Division, dispatched to China to take part in the Korean War on the North Korean side. But he was not allowed to participate in combat missions.
Kozhedub's WWII record:
- 330 combat missions
- 120 aerial engagements
- 62 enemy aircraft shot down, including one Me 262 Jet fighter. His first kill was a German Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" Dive-bomber on July 6, 1943.
Kozhedub was awarded the Order of Lenin twice, seven Orders of the Red Banner, Order of Alexander Nevsky, two Orders of the Red Star, Order of the Patriotic War First Class, and numerous medals.
Controversy
 | This section possibly contains original research. (September 2007) |
As with other famous figures, mythology has 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 to be enemy and attacked. Kozhedub, having no other option, defended himself by shooting two of the P-51 Mustangs. So far this story isn't confirmed completely. There are certain amount of unclear facts, that can be either truth or fiction:
- Gun camera footage exists that had been touted as Kozhedub's actual gun camera film from the event. However, it is highly suspect. First, the footage was shot using Zeiss equipment which was used primarily by the Luftwaffe.
- The aircraft shown in the video are shown with drop-tanks attached. This would seem to contradict the usual telling that Kozhedub was jumped by the P-51s, as attacking fighters would dispose of these tanks before commencing aggressive offensive maneuvers. A more likely story is that the gun camera footage was from a Luftwaffe aircraft which ambushed American aircraft in an unrelated incident. However another aircraft was shown without droptanks, which can mean that the first pilot was unable or forgot to release his tanks, or perhaps even decided not to do so.