When taking a closer look at the career of
Ivan Nikolaievitch Kozhedoub we see that he flew over 326
mission during the war and engaged the enemy 126 times. (All his
victories except for one (a Me 262 ) where obtained against
propeller engine aircraft).
Ivan Nikolaievitch Kozhedoub flew with Lavochkin 5FN and
Lavochkin 7 like no other, a real master in his art and his
exploits where largely reported to the Soviet public which stood
in adoration and started knowing his face from the large
propaganda posters exposed in public places. Posters that where
encouraging the Russian people to fight just like Kozhedoub did.
Kozhedoub's Lavochkin 5
As a member of the Communist Party
Kozhedoub was a example to follow for all young Russian Pilots
of the Soviet military aviation.
During the great patriotic war Kozhedoub received the "Golden
Star" (Hero of the People ) twice and this same award was given
to him a third time at the end of the war.
At the time of his first "Golden Star" he was Senior Lieutenant
and commander of the 240 IAP only 6 months later he received his
second H.U.S. time at which he was promoted to the rank of
Captain and made Commanding Officer of the 176 Gv.IAP.
Kozhedoud's Lavochkin 7
Kozhedoub made the step to Jet-engine
fighters in 1948 and flew missions in Korea.
In 1974 he became Colonel-General of the Soviet AirForce before
being promoted to the rank of General of the Soviet Air Force in
1985 ten years earlier Kozhedoub published his political
memories entitled "Vernost'otchizne" (fidelity to the
fatherland) in Russia.
Ivan Nikolaievitch Kozhedoub died at the age of 71 in august
1991.
Victories: 62
