Aleksey Vasilyevich Alelyukhin was a Soviet World War II flying ace and twice Hero of the Soviet Union who later became a major general.
25 Facts About Aleksey Alelyukhin
1.
2.
Aleksey Alelyukhin served in the 9th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment and went on to a series of postwar command positions, retiring as a major general in 1985.
3.
Aleksey Alelyukhin was born on 30 March 1920 in Kesova Gora village in Tver Governorate.
4.
Aleksey Alelyukhin's family moved to Moscow in the early 1930s.
5.
Aleksey Alelyukhin graduated from the city's Oktyabrsky Flying Club in 1938.
6.
In 1939, Aleksey Alelyukhin graduated from the Borisoglebsk Air Force Pilot School.
7.
Aleksey Alelyukhin was sent to the 69th Fighter Aviation Regiment in the Odessa Military District.
8.
Aleksey Alelyukhin provided air cover during the Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina during June and July 1940, still with the 69th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
9.
Bessarabia was now on the front line at Aleksey Alelyukhin fought in the defense of Bessarabia.
10.
On 10 February 1942, Aleksey Alelyukhin was awarded the Order of Lenin.
11.
Weeks later, Aleksey Alelyukhin was flying alone and was attacked by four Bf 109s.
12.
Aleksey Alelyukhin evaded a Bf 109 on his tail six times and escaped by diving to tree-top level.
13.
Aleksey Alelyukhin painted his squadron's spinners red, a practice soon adopted by the rest of the regiment.
14.
Aleksey Alelyukhin then fought in the Battle of Rostov during early 1943.
15.
From April to May 1944, Aleksey Alelyukhin fought in the Crimean Offensive.
16.
Aleksey Alelyukhin landed between the lines and was rescued by advancing Soviet troops.
17.
In January 1945, Aleksey Alelyukhin fought in the Battle of Konigsberg.
18.
On 13 April 1948, Aleksey Alelyukhin was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
19.
Aleksey Alelyukhin graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff in 1954.
20.
Aleksey Alelyukhin then became deputy head of the Department of Fighter Aircraft and Air Defence Tactics at the Air Force Academy.
21.
In 1961, Aleksey Alelyukhin became chief of staff of the 95th Fighter Aviation Division and Shchuchyn.
22.
Aleksey Alelyukhin transferred to become chief of staff for intelligence of Moscow Military District Aviation in 1963.
23.
Between 1980 and 1985, Aleksey Alelyukhin served as the deputy chief of staff of the Moscow Military District aviation.
24.
Aleksey Alelyukhin retired in August 1985 and lived in Moscow.
25.
Aleksey Alelyukhin died on 29 October 1990 and was buried in Novodevichy Cemetery.