Evgeniy Zherdiy Fighter pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union Date of Birth: 03.04.1918 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Evgeny Zherdiy
2. Participation in the Great Patriotic War
3. Courageous Actions and Sacrifice
4. Achievements and Honors

Biography of Evgeny Zherdiy

Evgeny Nikolaevich Zherdiy was a fighter pilot and a Hero of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously on November 5, 1942. Zherdiy was born on April 3, 1918, in the village of Velikaya Viska, which is now part of the Maloviskovsky district of the Kirovograd region in Ukraine. He came from a peasant family. Zherdiy received secondary education and joined the Red Army in 1937. In 1940, he graduated from the Chuguev Military Aviation School.

Participation in the Great Patriotic War

Zherdiy became a participant in the Great Patriotic War in May 1942. On July 14, 1942, Lieutenant Zherdiy flew on a reconnaissance mission together with Junior Lieutenant F.A. Usan. They discovered a large column of enemy tanks and armored vehicles moving eastward, bypassing our troops, near the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkov region. The information they obtained was of utmost importance and needed to be delivered to the air army headquarters immediately. However, four Me-109 fighters blocked the path for the scouts. Zherdiy ordered his wingman to escape alone, while he engaged in an unequal battle.

Courageous Actions and Sacrifice

Zherdiy skillfully maneuvered and attacked, successfully shooting down one "Messerschmitt". He continued to attack until he was severely wounded. Feeling his strength leaving him, Zherdiy decided to ram and destroyed the second Me-109. His aircraft lost control and began to fall. Zherdiy managed to eject, but he was unable to open his parachute. He was buried by soldiers from the 9th Guards Rifle Division, who witnessed the battle.

Achievements and Honors

Evgeny Zherdiy completed a total of 75 successful combat sorties and personally shot down four enemy aircraft, while another four were shot down in a group. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on November 5, 1942. Zherdiy was also honored with the Lenin and Red Banner Orders. A memorial plaque is installed in the village of Velikaya Viska, and a street in the city of Snezhnoye in the Donetsk region is named after him.