Kutakhov, Pavel Stepanovich
From OnAirpower.org
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[edit] Biography
Kutakhov was born into a Russian peasant family on August 16, 1914 in the village of Malokirsanovka (modern-day Matveevo-Kurgansk region in the Rostov oblast in Russia). He attended technical shool and worked as a metalworker in an aviation factory[1].
He joined the Red Army in 1935 and completed the Stalingrad Military Pilots School in 1938[1].
He participated in the Soviet Invasion of Poland (1939) and in the Soviet-Finnish War, completing a total of 131 combat sorties during the two conflicts[1].
At the beginning of World War II, Kutakhov served as Deputy Squadron Commander and later Squadron Commander in the 19th Guards Fighter Regiment, part of the 258th Fighter Division, 7th Air Army, fighting in the Leningrad and Karelian Fronts. By February 1943, he had completed 262 combat sorties and in 40 aerial engagements had claimed 7 individual and 24 shared victories. The squadron that he commanded had completed 1118 combat sorties in total, and had claimed 59 victories in a total of 74 aerial engagements. On May 1, 1943, Kutakhov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union[1].
In May, 1944 Kutakhov became commander of a fighter regiment. By the end of the war, he had completed 367 combat sorties, including 79 aerial engagements during which he claimed 14 individual and 28 shared victories[1].
After the war Kutakhov held a variety of command positions and completed both the Advanced Officers Air Tactical School (in 1949), and the General Staff Academy (in 1957)[1].
In July, 1967 he became 1st Deputy Commander, and in March, 1969, Commander in Chief of the Air Forces and Deputy Minister of Defense. In 1972 he received the rank of Chief Marshal of Aviation[1].
He received his second Hero of the Soviet Union award in 1984, for his prior service and in honor of his 70th birthday[1].
He passed away on December 3, 1984[1].
[edit] Sources
- Khutakov, Pavel Stepanovich at National Heroes (Герои Страны)
- Khutakhov, Pavel Stepanovich at airaces.narod.ru
