Khudyakov, Sergei Aleksandrovich

From OnAirpower.org

Name:	Khudyakov, Sergei Aleksandrovich (Худяков, Сергей Александрович)
Also Known As:	Khanferyants, Armenak Artemovich
Years:	1902-1950
Rank:	Marshal of Aviation
Nationality:	Soviet
Remarks:	Soviet Air Force Chief of Staff during much of World War II

[edit] Biography

Khudyakov's original name was Armenak Artemovich Khanferyants, born on May 31, 1899 in the village of Bolshoi Taglar located in what is now known as the region of Nagorno Karabakh^[1].

Khanferyants joined the Red Army in February, 1918 and served in the Russian Civil War. At some point during the war he assumed the name of Sergei Khudyakov, under circumstances that are not entirely known. According to one version of the story, the original Khudyakov died in Armenak's arms during a battle and in his dying words asked Khanferyants to assume his command^[2]. Irrespective of how the switch was made, Khanferyants/Khudyakov served until 1920, commanding a cavalry platoon and later a cavalry squadron^[3].

After the Russian Civil War, Khudyakov completed the Cavalry Command Officer's Development Course in 1922, and attended the Zhukovskii Military Air Academy from October, 1931 to May, 1936, graduating with honors^[4]. Starting in 1940, he served as the Chief of Staff for the Belorussian Special Military District's air forces^[3].

During World War II, Khudyakov served in several command roles, including commander of the Western Front air forces (February, 1942), Air Force Chief of Staff (May, 1942), commander of the 1st Air Army (June, 1942), and Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Air Forces (from May, 1943)^[3]. Khudyakov attended the Yalta Conference in February, 1945, and served as an adviser to Stalin for aviation matters^[4].

Starting in April, 1945 he commanded the 12th Air Army and participated in Operation August Storm^[3].

He was arrested on December 14, 1945 on fabricated charges of spying for England, and was executed on April 18, 1950^[3]^[4].