User:Jim101/Zhang Jihui

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Zhang Jihui was the Deputy Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force and a highly decorated fighter pilot during the Korean War. He became famous in China due to the death of American ace Major George Andrew Davis, Jr. He claimed a total of four victories during his service in Korea.

Early life and military career
Zhang Jihui was born at Rongcheng, Shandong in January 1927. While studying at university in 1945, he joined the Chinese Communist Eighth Route Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. After the Japanese surrendered, his unit was moved into Manchuria, where the Chinese Communist People's Liberation Army (PLA) had set up its first pilot school. Zhang was sent to study at the school and graduated in 1948. He was among the first group of pilots trained for the fledgling People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). In 1950, he became a group leader at the 4th Aviation Division.

Combat in Korea
When the PLAAF officially begin air operation in Korea in September 1951, Zhang's 4th Aviation Division was the first PLAAF unit sent into combat, and it was under the command of the Soviet 64th Aviation Corps. The 4th Aviation Division was stationed at Langtou Airfield, and it was composed of 55 MiG-15s. Zhang first entered two aerial engagements with no victories, but he soon claimed his first victory on October 16, 1951. While intercepting an UN flight on October 16, Zhang claimed to shoot down one aircraft while forcing a F-86 Sabre to crash. For this action he was awarded the Meritorious Service, 1st Class. On Febuary 4, 1952, Zhang claimed his third victory against a F-86 and received the Meritorious Service, 2nd Class.

Death of Major Davis
On February 10, 1952, US F-86 Sabre ace Major George Andrew Davis, Jr. was shot down by a MiG-15 during his 16th mission in the MiG Alley near Kunu-ri. Davis was the fourth highest ranking Korean War ace at the time, and he was posthumously celebrated as a hero and recieved the Medal of Honor. About 36 MiG-15s from the 4th Aviation Division were involved in the engagement in which Davis was killed, and Zhang was among the group. According to Zhang's own report after the battle, while the MiGs were en route to intercept Davis' group, he and his wingman became separated from the main element. As Zhang was trying to rejoin his formation, he spotted a group of eight F-86s in the area between Taechon and Chongye at 0740. Zhang and his wingman then swung down onto the tail of two Sabres and opened fire. Zhang claimed that he shot down both Sabres, but enemy reinforcements soon destroyed his MiG while killing his wingman.

The publicity of Davis' death soon caught the Chinese attention. To determine whether Davis was killed by Zhang, the 4th Aviation Division sent two search teams on February 16 and 18, and they recovered a wreckage of F-86E, along with Davis' body and his belongings. The search team had also discovered that the crash site was within 500 meters where Zhang had bailed out, and that Zhang's 12th Regiment was the only unit operating near the area. In light of those findings and the testimonies from the ground troops that witnessed the battle, Zhang was credited by the PLAAF for shooting down Davis' F-86. Davis' dog tag is currently on display at the Dandong Korean War Museum.

Although Zhang was credited by the PLAAF for shooting down Davis' F-86, Russian sources disputed his claim 40 years later by raising the possibility that the 1st Lieutenant Mikhail Akimovich Averin was the MiG pilot that shot down Davis' plane. According to the recollections from the pilots of the Soviet 64th Aviation Corps, both Zhang and his wingman were actually shot down by Davis, who was in turn surprised and shot down by Mikhail Averin running to save the Chinese MiGs. Lieutenant General Georgeii Lobov, commander of the 64th Aviation Corps, also noted in his memoir that Davis was killed by a Soviet pilot. Currently, both China and Russia have took credit over Davis' death.

Regardless of the controversy surrounding Davis' death, Zhang had became a household name in China, and the victory was one of the few proud moments in the PLAAF's rather underwhelming performance in Korea. The PLAAF later awarded Zhang with the title Combat Hero, 1st Class for this action.

According to official records, Zhang had participated in 10 aerial engagement with a total of four victories during his service in Korea, and for his service Zhang received the Meritorious Service, Special Class. The North Korean government had also awarded Zhang with the Freedom and Independence Medal, 2nd Class.

Later life
Immediately after the war, Zhang was sent to study at the Red Banner Air Force Academy in Russia, and returned to China in 1957 after graduation. He steadily climbed the ranks by assuming the command of the 27th Aviation Division in 1964, and later took command of the 1st Aviation Corps in 1970. In 1973, he was named the Deputy Commander of the PLAAF.

But in July 1978, Zhang was stripped of his ranks and thrown in jail due to the Cultural Revolution. After his release in 1980, he became the Deputy Mayor of Yantai. In July 1990, the PLA Central Military Commission restored Zhang's position while allowing him to retire. Zhang is currently retired with state pension.