The Great Victory

Ivan Kozhedub was born on June 8, 1920, in the village Obrazheyevska.
He was the youngest of five children in his family.

In 1934 he finished school.
In 1940 he graduated from the Shostka chemical technical school.

Ivan Kozhedub performed his first flight on 26 March 1943 on his plane.
It wasn't successful and his plane was heavily damaged.

On July 6, 1943, it was the first success.
During the battle of Kursk, he managed to destroyed two enemy planes.

Kozhedub was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union three times (1944-1945) for his military skills and courage.

Ivan Kozhedub continued fighting in the Korean war.

Ivan Kozhedub was made an Aviation Marshal in 1985.

Ivan Kozhedub died on 8 August 1991.