Lev Schukin
Belarus- Biography of Lev Shchukin
- One of the Best Pilots of the Korean War
- Remarkable Aerial Victories
- Continued Courage and Determination
- Awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union
Biography of Lev Shchukin
Lev Kirillovich Shchukin was born on October 20, 1923, in the city of Noginsk, Moscow region, into a family of civil servants. He completed 10 grades of school and joined an aeroclub in Krasnodar. In 1941, he was drafted into the Red Army and graduated from the Odessa Military Aviation School for Pilots in 1944. However, due to his exceptional flying skills, he was kept as an instructor in a training regiment instead of being sent to the front lines of the Great Patriotic War.
One of the Best Pilots of the Korean War
Shchukin's fate took a different turn when he became one of the top aces of the Korean War between 1950 and 1953, conducting 212 combat sorties and shooting down 17 enemy aircraft in 17 aerial battles. He arrived in Korea in the spring of 1951 as the squadron leader of the 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. During his time in Korea, he successfully engaged and shot down two enemy planes, including an American P-51 Mustang and an F-80.
Remarkable Aerial Victories
On June 1, 1951, Shchukin was on standby at an airfield when he received information that a group of enemy Mustangs was conducting low-altitude reconnaissance. Without hesitation, his flight took off to intercept them. In his own words, he described the encounter: "It was getting dark. We approached from the sun, making us easily visible to the Mustangs. I ordered the second pair to stay high while I dived. It was my first attack, and I opened fire a bit too early, missing. I didn't have time to shoot again due to high speed and lack of altitude. Leading the second pair, Lesha Sventitsky, approached the American plane and hit it so hard that the Mustang veered towards the sea. I went for a second attack, approaching him from behind and firing from three points. He went straight down and disappeared into the waves."
Continued Courage and Determination
Despite being shot down twice, Shchukin never stopped flying. He continued to add to his tally, shooting down five more enemy planes before being shot down again himself. Even after sustaining injuries, he remained determined to stay in the fight. It was only after the intervention of General G.A. Lobov, the commander of the fighter aviation corps, that the relentless pilots and their commanders were forced to adhere to established rules.
Awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union
On November 13, 1951, Lev Shchukin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his exemplary service. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his career, he remained fiercely independent, brave, and direct, which limited his opportunities for advancement. Since 1977, Colonel L.K. Shchukin has been in reserve and worked as a senior lecturer at the Belarusian State Institute of National Economy. He has been honored with the Orders of Lenin (twice), the Red Banner, and the Red Star. Currently, he resides in Minsk.
