11 Facts About Horia Agarici

Horia Agarici lived much of his youth in Iasi, Brasov, and Bucharest, where he attended the primary and the secondary schools.

Horia Agarici didn't adapt easily to the military lifestyle: his military appearance looked a bit unkempt, he learned only what he considered interesting, and he openly voiced his disagreements with his superiors.

Horia Agarici was covered in all kinds of insults, one worse than the other.

Horia Agarici graduated from the flying school on 8 June 1933, with the rank of second lieutenant, and was assigned to the Balloon Squadron in Pantelimon, Bucharest.

Originally assigned to the Bomber Group, Second Lieutenant Horia Agarici transferred to the 1st Fighter Group, where he finalized his specialty training on 6 June 1937 and was promoted to lieutenant.

In January 1941, before Romania's entry in World War II on the side of Nazi Germany, Horia Agarici was reassigned to the 53rd Fighter Squadron based at the Mamaia airfield in Northern Dobruja, which was tasked with defending the coastline, the port and city of Constanta, and the railroad to Bucharest.

Horia Agarici had to stay behind at the Mamaia base because his airplane was under repair.

Horia Agarici became famous a day later, on 23 June 1941, after a first wave of Soviet bombers had attacked the port of Constanta.

Horia Agarici thus became the first Romanian aviator who managed to shoot down three enemy aircraft in a single battle.

In 1942, Horia Agarici was assigned the command of the 52nd Flying Squadron in Mamaia, which was meant to defend Axis supply routes in the Black Sea.

Horia Agarici died in 1982 and was buried with military honors in Constanta's Central Cemetery.