Ivan Kozhedub

Aviator, thrice Hero of the Soviet Union (1920–1991)

Marshal of Aviation Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub (Russian: Иван Hикитович Кожедуб; Ukrainian: Іван Микитович Кожедуб, romanized: Ivan Mykytovych Kozhedub; 8 June 1920 – 8 August 1991) was a Soviet aviator who first came to prominence as a 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. Kozhedub is one of the few pilots confirmed 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).

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