# Amet-khan Sultan

> Crimean Tatar WWII flying ace, test pilot, and twice Hero of the Soviet Union (1920-1971)

**Wikidata**: [Q470325](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470325)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amet-khan_Sultan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amet-khan-sultan

## Summary
Amet-khan Sultan was a Crimean Tatar fighter pilot and test pilot who became one of the Soviet Union's most decorated aviators during World War II. He was twice awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his combat achievements, including 30 personal aerial victories and 19 shared victories during the war. His legacy endures as a symbol of bravery and skill in Soviet military aviation.

## Biography
- **Born**: October 20, 1920, in Alupka, Crimea (then part of the Government of South Russia)
- **Nationality**: Soviet Union
- **Ethnicity**: Crimean Tatar
- **Education**:
  - Kacha Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots (Soviet Air Forces)
  - Gagarin Air Force Academy (1945–1946)
- **Known for**: Being a World War II flying ace, test pilot, and twice Hero of the Soviet Union
- **Employer(s)**: Soviet Air Forces
- **Field(s)**: Military aviation, test piloting
- **Died**: February 1, 1971, in Moscow Oblast (aircraft crash)
- **Place of Burial**: Novodevichy Cemetery, Moscow
- **Military Rank**: Lieutenant Colonel (Podpolkovnik)
- **Political Affiliation**: Communist Party of the Soviet Union (from 1942)

## Contributions
Amet-khan Sultan made significant contributions as both a combat pilot and a test pilot:
- **Combat Achievements (WWII)**:
  - Fought on the Eastern Front, participating in key battles including Stalingrad and Berlin.
  - Achieved **30 personal aerial victories** and **19 shared victories** as a fighter pilot.
  - Awarded the title **Hero of the Soviet Union** twice (August 24, 1943, and June 29, 1945).
- **Test Pilot Career**:
  - Tested numerous Soviet aircraft post-war, contributing to aviation advancements.
  - Awarded the title **Merited Test Pilot of the USSR** (1961).
  - Received the **Stalin Prize** (1953) for his work in aviation.
- **Decorations and Honors**:
  - Received multiple high-ranking Soviet awards, including three **Orders of Lenin**, four **Orders of the Red Banner**, and the **Order of Alexander Nevsky**.
  - Posthumously named an **honorary citizen of Crimea** (1997).

## FAQs
**What battles did Amet-khan Sultan fight in during World War II?**
Amet-khan Sultan fought in major battles on the Eastern Front, including the **Battle of Stalingrad** (1942) and the **Battle of Berlin** (1945). He was a key figure in the Soviet Air Forces' efforts against Nazi Germany.

**How many aerial victories did Amet-khan Sultan achieve?**
He achieved **30 personal aerial victories** and **19 shared victories**, making him one of the Soviet Union's top fighter aces of World War II.

**What awards did Amet-khan Sultan receive?**
He was awarded the title **Hero of the Soviet Union** twice, along with numerous other honors, including the **Order of Lenin**, **Order of the Red Banner**, **Order of Alexander Nevsky**, and the **Stalin Prize**.

**Where was Amet-khan Sultan educated?**
He trained at the **Kacha Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots** and later attended the **Gagarin Air Force Academy** (1945–1946).

**How did Amet-khan Sultan die?**
He died in an **aircraft crash** on February 1, 1971, in Moscow Oblast. His death was ruled an **accidental death**.

## Why They Matter
Amet-khan Sultan's contributions to Soviet aviation were pivotal during and after World War II. As a fighter pilot, he played a crucial role in securing Soviet air superiority on the Eastern Front, directly impacting the outcomes of major battles. His post-war work as a test pilot advanced Soviet aircraft development, ensuring the safety and performance of new military and civilian planes. His legacy as a **twice Hero of the Soviet Union** and a **Merited Test Pilot** cements his place as one of the most skilled and decorated aviators in Soviet history. His story also highlights the contributions of **Crimean Tatars** to the Soviet war effort, a narrative often overshadowed in historical accounts.

## Notable For
- **Twice Hero of the Soviet Union** (1943, 1945)
- **30 personal aerial victories** in World War II
- **Merited Test Pilot of the USSR** (1961)
- **Stalin Prize recipient** (1953)
- **Honorary citizen of Crimea** (posthumously, 1997)
- **Participation in key WWII battles** (Stalingrad, Berlin)
- **Multiple high-ranking Soviet military awards**, including Orders of Lenin, Red Banner, and Alexander Nevsky
- **Pioneering work in aircraft testing** post-war

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Amet-khan Sultan was born on **October 20, 1920**, in **Alupka, Crimea**, to a Crimean Tatar family. He developed an early interest in aviation and enrolled in the **Kacha Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots**, one of the Soviet Union's premier flight training institutions. After completing his initial training, he joined the **Soviet Air Forces** and quickly distinguished himself as a skilled pilot.

### World War II Service
During World War II, Sultan fought on the **Eastern Front**, participating in some of the war's most critical battles:
- **Battle of Stalingrad (1942)**: He played a key role in defending the city, earning his first **Order of the Red Banner** (July 31, 1942).
- **Battle of Berlin (1945)**: He contributed to the final Soviet offensive, leading to his second **Hero of the Soviet Union** award (June 29, 1945).

By the war's end, he had achieved **30 personal aerial victories** and **19 shared victories**, making him one of the Soviet Union's top fighter aces. His bravery earned him multiple decorations, including:
- **Three Orders of Lenin** (1942, 1943, 1943)
- **Four Orders of the Red Banner** (1942, 1943, 1945, 1953)
- **Order of Alexander Nevsky** (1944)
- **Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class** (1945)

### Post-War Career as a Test Pilot
After the war, Sultan transitioned to a career as a **test pilot**, attending the **Gagarin Air Force Academy** (1945–1946). He tested numerous Soviet aircraft, contributing to advancements in aviation technology. His work earned him the **Stalin Prize** in 1953 and the title **Merited Test Pilot of the USSR** in 1961.

### Death and Legacy
Amet-khan Sultan died on **February 1, 1971**, in an **aircraft crash** in Moscow Oblast. He was buried in **Novodevichy Cemetery**, Moscow. Posthumously, he was named an **honorary citizen of Crimea** in 1997, recognizing his enduring legacy as a hero of the Soviet Union and a symbol of Crimean Tatar contributions to Soviet military history.

### Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Sultan received numerous awards, including:
- **Hero of the Soviet Union** (twice, with **Gold Star medals**)
- **Order of Lenin** (three times)
- **Order of the Red Banner** (four times)
- **Order of Alexander Nevsky**
- **Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class**
- **Stalin Prize** (1953)
- **Merited Test Pilot of the USSR** (1961)
- **Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"**
- **Medal "For the Defence of Stalingrad"**
- **Medal "For the Capture of Berlin"**
- **Medal "For the Capture of Königsberg"**

His name remains synonymous with **bravery, skill, and dedication** in Soviet aviation history.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. SNAC
3. TracesOfWar
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013