Vladimir Strizhesky

Captain Vladimir Ivanovich Strzhizhevsky (26 December 1894 – 22 August 1940) was a World War I flying ace. He volunteered for military service on 14 October 1914, after graduation from Petrograd Technical Institute. Incomplete and confusing records credit him with eight confirmed and four unconfirmed aerial victories during his 1916-1917 combat on the Romanian Front. His second wound ended his tally of aerial victories. The advent of the October Revolution saw him co-opted into the Red Air Force for the end of the war. On 4 November 1918, he defected to the White Russian Army, and served with them for two years. When they were expelled from Russia, Strzhizhevsky accompanied them. He became a Yugoslav citizen and joined their air force.

Biography

Vladimir Ivanovich Strzhizhevsky was born into gentry on 26 December 1894

After aviation training, he graduated from Flying School in Sevastopol on 29 July 1915. His initial posting was to the 16th Korpusnoi Aviatsionniy Otryad (Corps Aviation Detachment) on 10 August 1915. He arrived at the 16th KAO on 5 September; on 14 September 1915, he was promoted to Podporuchik. By January 1916, Strzhizhevsky had flown 43 combat sorties for a flight time of 65 hours 44 minutes. During this period, he was awarded all four classes of the Cross of Saint George and promoted to Praporshchik on 10 February 1916.

Nieuport 21 s/n N1719 Enemy aircraft Fell out of sight Crashed in trenches of the Romanian 5th Infantry Division Observer KIA; pilot WIA/with Loiko

Honors and awards Cross of Saint George All four classes Order of Saint Anna Fourth Class "For Bravery": March 1917 Order of Saint George Fourth Class: 12 July 1917 Order of Saint Vladimir Fourth Class with Swords and Bow: 19 November 1917 Kingdom of Romania's Order of the Crown with Swords

Sources of information