Certificate for the Marshal Star and the Rank of Air Force Marshal Awarded to Ivan Kozhedub, highest scoring allied ace of WW2.

Issued on 7 May 1985 (2 days before the 40th anniversary of victory over Germany and certainly presented to him with great ceremony on the occasion). Hand-signed by V. Kuznetsov, First Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and Menteshashvili, Secretary of the Presidium.

Document is bound in padded deep red/brown leather with embossed State Seal and gold leaf inscription. Document is printed on heavy parchment and inscribed in black and gold. Open document measures 18" x 12.5". Condition is excellent, with only light traces of wear.

The case is bound in matching leather. The liner, of highest quality padded red satin, matches the importance of the document contained therein. Case measures 13" x 9.5" x 2". Condition is excellent, clean, with light wear and minor scuffs to the case.

This historic document signifies perhaps the final milestone in the military career of one of the Soviet Union's greatest military heroes. Called "ace of aces", Ivan Kozhedub achieved his first milestone by shooting down a Ju87 during the opening days of the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, and by war's end he had scored 62 personal air victories during 330 sortees, not counting dozens of assisted kills and probable victories that included a Me 262 jet. After the war, Kozhedub continued in the Soviet Air Force, crowning his career by attaining the rank of Marshal, as represented by this very document.

Additional Documents:

1. Military photo ID pass, 1960s. Shows photo of Ivan Kzhedub wearing the uniform of Air Force Lieutenant General. The stamp over the photo is of the Office of the Commandant of the Headquarters of Moscow Military District. Hand-signed by the Commandant.

2. Photo ID allowing access to an elite medical facility (4th Ambulatory Clinic of the 4th Directorate, Health Ministry of the USSR). The ID shows photo of Kozhedub and states that his current position is Deputy Chief of the Office of the Supreme Commander of the Air Forces. Issued on 7 January 1958.

3. Award certificate for Mongolian Medal for 40th Anniversary of Victory over Japan, 1985 issue. Filled-out in Russian to Ivan Kozhedub.

4. Award certificate for Polish Badge of Brotherhood in Arms. Issued on 12 October 1988. The document is in Polish, but the line for the name is filled-out in Russian to Ivan Kozhedub. Cloth bound hard booklet with gold impression of the Polish Eagle on the front cover. First inside page shows the badge which incorporates in its design the Grunwald Cross.

5. Kozhedub's portrait on hardwood with a salutation from the DOSAAF Organization. Late 1970s - mid 1980s. Hardwood folder is executed by an extremely skilled craftsman, and shows professional quality throughout. The two 13" x 10" panels are joined by a brass piano-hinge, to unfold as a book. Blank on the outside, it shows portrait of Kozhedub on the inside left panel. He is wearing full dress uniform of Air Force Colonel General, with three Hero Star and other decorations. Bound inside is a greeting, with gold presentation on the front page "To Triple Hero of the Soviet Union, Air Force Colonel General Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub". The text starts with expression of gratitude from the DOSAAF Air Force Branch for Kozhedub's contribution in patriotic education of the Soviet youth. It further states that Ivan Kozhedub is a national hero known and beloved not only by all Soviet people, but by "entire progressive humanity". In closing it wishes him health and success in service. The document might have been issued on occasion of Kozhedub's birthday, promotion or a national holiday.

Photographs:

1. Remarkably sharp and clear original color photo of Ivan Kozhedub wearing the uniform of Marshal of Air Force. Note the Marshal Star attached to his tie, and three Gold Stars of Hero of the Soviet Union. Outstanding detail to the medals visible under the magnifying glass. Printed on Kodak paper, though apparently of Soviet Origin.

2. Second generation photo showing Kozhedub (first from the right) standing next to Marshal Zhukov (center) and the second highest scoring Soviet ace, Pokryshkin (first from the left).

An extensive article about Kozhedub with several large photos of him and his airplane is on pages 114 - 117 of the book 'Stalin's Eagles' by Hans Seidl (not included but available seperately on this website.)

Ivan Kozhedub was one of only two Soviet fighter pilots to be awarded the Gold Star of a Hero of the Soviet Union three times during World War II (the other was Aleksandr Pokryshkin, with 59 victories). Kept from the front lines due to his great skill as a pilot instructor, Kozhedub did not fly his first combat mission until March 26, 1943. On April 19, 1945, he downed two Focke-Wulf Fw-190s to bring his final tally to 62--the top Allied ace of the war.

Kozhedub is associated with a single fighter type, the series of radial engine, wooden aircraft designed by Semyen Lavochkin. The last of them, La-7 No. 27, survives at the Monino Air Museum near Moscow.

In 1949, he finished the Zhukovski Military Aviation Academy. During the Korean Conflict, he commanded an Air Regiment that was heavily engaged against U.S. fighter aircraft. In 1956, he graduated from the High Command´s Academy, after which he was promoted to General and served as a senior member of the Air Force Staff, finishing his career as Marshal and General Inspector of the Soviet Air Forces. Ivan Kozhedub passed away in August 1991 but remains a popular icon of Soviet Military Aviation history.


$39,000.00