Ilya Shmelyov

Ilya Vasilyevich Shmelyov (Илья Васильевич Шмелёв; 2 August 1917 — 25 December 1979) was a Soviet fighter pilot during World War II. Awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on 23 August 1943 for his initial victories, by the end of the war his tally stood at an estimated 27 solo and 10 shared shootdowns, although more conservative estimates put the figure at 26 solo and one shared.