Sutyagin, Nikolai Vasilevich

From OnAirpower.org

Name:	Sutyagin, Nikolai Vasilevich (Сутягин, Николай Васильевич)
Years:	1923-1986
Rank:	Maj. Gen.
Nationality:	Soviet
Remarks:	Soviet fighter pilot and Hero of the Soviet Union who was the highest scoring ace during the Korean War

[edit] Biography

In March, 1941 Sutyagin joined the Red Army and was sent to the Chernigovsk Military Fighter Pilots School. He completed the school in October, 1942, and was assigned to the 582nd Fighter Regiment, part of the 249th Fighter Division, 9th Air Army, based in the Far East. After a month he was reassigned to the 5th Fighter Regiment, which was part of the same Division. While part of that regiment, he learned to fly the I-16, Yak-7, and Yak-9^[1].

Sutyagin didn't see any combat action until August-September, 1945, when he flew 13 sorties of which three were combat sorties. He received the Order of the Red Star for his actions, but didn't encounter any enemy aircraft^[1].

After the war he was transferred to the 17th Fighter Regiment, initially flying lend-lease King Cobras and later transitioning to the MiG-15^[1].

During the Korean War he scored his first victory, shooting down an F-86 on June 19, 1951. By October, 1951 he had shot down a total of seven American aircraft. For his actions, on October 10, 1951 he was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union (No. 9282). He continued fighting in Korea, and by February, 1952 had scored a total of 21 victories^[1].

In total, Sutyagin is credited with shooting down fifteen F-86s, two F-84s, two F-80s, and two Gloster Meteors^[1].