The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Red Army
Ivan Kozhedub (1920–1991): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 8 June 1920, Obrazheyevka (Sumy region) |
|---|---|
| Died | 1991 |
| Key role | Fighter pilot with 62 victories; Gold Star of a Hero of the Soviet Union three times |
| Documents bearing his name | Award documents, signed photographs, post-war letters and books |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Ivan Kozhedub scored 62 aerial victories, the highest total of any Allied fighter pilot of the Second World War, and received the Gold Star three times. On 19 February 1945 he became the only Soviet pilot to shoot down a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet.
Who Was Ivan Kozhedub?
Kozhedub was born in the Sumy region of Ukraine in 1920. He scored his final two victories on 19 April 1945. After the war he held senior posts in the air force and devoted himself to training young pilots.
What Documents Bear Kozhedub’s Signature?
Award documents, signed photographs and post-war letters and books exist. See Hero of the Soviet Union.
Soviet documents bring their own checks. Signatures are usually in Cyrillic, and official papers combine typed text, printed forms, ink signatures and round seals. A collector should read the Russian text, compare the office named with the date, and remember that Soviet state papers were often reproduced, so many documents carry a printed or stamped signature rather than ink.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Read the Cyrillic text and check the office against the date.
- Distinguish ink signatures from printed or stamped ones.
- Soviet-era reproductions and later commemorative items are common.
- Ask for documented provenance on any important piece.
Later Life
Kozhedub died in 1991.
Collector’s Note
Kozhedub’s record is unusually well documented for an ace. That makes it easier to test the claims attached to any item associated with him.
Related Entries and Pieces
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many victories did Kozhedub score?
62.
Did Kozhedub shoot down a jet?
Yes, a Messerschmitt Me 262 on 19 February 1945.
How many times was he a Hero of the Soviet Union?
Three times.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the Soviet period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of political repression and war.
References & Further Reading
- Guttman, J. (2006) Aviation History interview with World War II Soviet ace Ivan Kozhedub, HistoryNet.