Ilya Pavlovich Mazuruk

Ilya Pavlovich Mazuruk (Илья Павлович Мазурук; 20 July 1906 - 2 January 1989) was a pilot, polar explorer, and Hero of the Soviet Union.

Early life
Mazuruk was born in Brest-Litovsk in 1906. He graduated from the Air Force Leningrad Military-Theoretical School in 1928 and graduated from Borisoglebsk Pilot School in 1929.

Polar exploration
In 1937, Mazuruk commanded a modified Tupolev TB-3 aircraft that airlifted personnel and material to North Pole-1 the first North Pole manned drifting station. He was decorated as a Hero of the Soviet Union for his participation in this historic mission.

Great Patriotic War
During the Great Patriotic War, Mazurk commanded the 1st Ferry Aircraft Division that ferried Lend Lease aircraft from the United States to the Soviet Union. During the war over 8,000 aircraft were delivered to the USSR via this route.

Post-war
Mazuruk was promoted Major General in 1946. He retired from active duty in 1953 and worked for the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. He made over 254 flights to polar research stations, including the first landing of an Antonov An-2 aircraft in Antarctica during the 1st Soviet Antarctic Expedition in 1956.

Awards and decorations

 * Hero of the Soviet Union,
 * 2 Orders of Lenin,
 * 3 Orders of the Red Banner,
 * 3 Orders of the Patriotic War 1st degree,
 * 2 Orders of Red Banner of Labour,
 * 3 Orders of Red Star.