Sultan Amet-Khan

BornOct. 25, 1920, in Alupka; died Feb. 1, 1971, in Moscow. Twice a Hero of the Soviet Union (Aug. 24, 1943, and June 29, 1945). Lieutenant colonel. Member of the CPSU since 1942. Tatar by nationality.

Amet-Khan graduated from military aviation school in 1940 and was in the Soviet Army as of 1939. During the Great Patriotic War he progressed from flyer to deputy commander of the 9th Fighter Regiment. In action at the Briansk, southwestern, Stalingrad, southern, fourth Ukrainian, and third Byelorussian fronts, Amet-Khan flew 603 sorties and participated in 150 air battles in which he personally shot down 30 planes, as well as 19 more planes in group battles. Since 1946 he was in the reserves. He was also a test pilot. He was awarded three Orders of Lenin, five Orders of the Red Banner, and the Orders of Alexander Nevsky, the Great Patriotic War First Class, the Red Star, the Badge of Honor, and various medals.