| Ilya Pavlovich Mazuruk | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 20, 1906 |
| Died | 2 January 1989 (aged 82) |
| Place of birth | Brest-Litovsk |
| Allegiance |
 Soviet Union |
| Awards |
  (2) |
Ilya Pavlovich Mazuruk (Russian: 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.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
References[]
External links[]
- The pilot of polar aviation, Hero of the U.S.S.R. Ilya Mazuruk, 1936
- Henry Wallace with Colonel Ilya P. Mazuruk, Siberia, 1944
- Wings Over Ice (1969)
The original article can be found at Ilya Pavlovich Mazuruk and the edit history here.