De Seversky, Alexander Nikolaevich
From OnAirpower.org
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[edit] Biography
De Seversky was born in Tiflils, Russia into a wealthy Russian family[1]. His father was one of the first people in Russia to own an airplane, which De Seversky learned to fly early on[2].
De Seversky completed studies at the Naval Cadets Corps[3] in Moscow in December, 1914 with the rank of Warrant Officer/Midshipman. After graduation, he was sent to the Sevastapol School for Naval Aviators, and qualified as a Naval Aviator on July 2, 1915[2].
He was assigned to the Baltic Fleet, and was shot down during an attack on a German destroyer, losing his leg in the crash[4]. After recovering, in the beginning of 1916 he was assigned to the 1st Russian Aircraft Factory in Petersburg as an observer of the construction and testing of float planes for the Baltic Fleet[2]. That was the beginning of De Seversky's experience in the design and construction of airplanes.
Later De Seversky returned to flight duty, and shot down a total of six aircraft, earning the title of Ace[4] along with the Order of St. George (4th Class), the Order of St. Vladimir (4th Class), the Order of St. Stanislaus (2nd & 3rd classes), and the Order of St. Anne (2nd, 3rd, and 4th classes)[1].
In March 1918, de Seversky was assigned to serve as assistant naval attaché at the Russian Embassy in Washingon D.C.[4], and after the Russian Revolution he decided to stay in the U.S. and became a naturalized citizen in 1927[1].
[edit] Timeline
- June 7, 1894 Alexander De Seversky is born in Tiflis, Russia[1].
- July 2, 1915 Alexander De Seversky completes his training as a Naval Aviator[2].
[edit] Publications
- Victory Through Air Power, 1942
- Land-Based Aviation Will Win the War, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Vol. 113, No. 3 (Sept. 1942)
[edit] Sources
- Alexander De Seversky Great Warrior Leaders/Thinkers page at the USAF Air University
- Alexander De Seversky at cradleofaviation.com
- The Seversky P-35's Unexpected Metamorphosis at aerostories.free.fr
- Sasha the Salesman , Air Force Magazine, Vol. 86, No. 8 (Aug. 2003)
- Alexander P. de Seversky by Meilinger, Phillip S., Air and Space Power Journal, Vol. XVI, No. 4 (Winter 2002)
- De Seversky's Badges and Medals at Smithsonain National Air and Space Museum a collection of De Seversky's badges and medals, donated by his estate to the NASM.
