16.8.1914 - 3.12.1984

Pavel Kutakhov was squadron commander of the 19^th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (the 258^th Fighter Division, the 7^th Air Army, the Karelian Front), Major, Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal.

He was born on the 3^rd (16^th) of August, 1914 in the village of Malokirsanovka, today Matveyev-Kurgan district, Rostov region. Russian. In 1930 he graduated from school (7 grades). Since 1930 he lived in Taganrog, Rostov region. In 1933 he graduated from Factory Trade Apprenticeship as a trammer. He worked as a mechanic at an aircraft plant in Taganrog. In 1935 he graduated from Taganrog Industrial Institute worker’s faculty.

In the army from August 1935. In 1938, he graduated from Stalingrad Military Aviation School. He served in the Air Force combat units (in the Leningrad Military District).

Participated in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940 as a commander of the 7^th Fighter Regiment, made 131 sorties on the I-16 fighters. During one of the fights was shot down, escaped by parachute.

Participated in the Great Patriotic War: June 1941 - May 1944 - deputy commander and commander of the squadron of the 145^th (from April 1942 – the 19^th Guards) Fighter Aviation Regiment, May 1944 - January 1945 - commander of the 20^th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. By February 1943 made 262 sorties, during 40 air battles personally shot down seven enemy planes and 24 – in a group.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet for his courage and heroism on May 1, 1943 Guards Major Pavel Kutakhov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal (№ 1026).

During the war he fought on the Leningrad and Karelian Fronts. Participated in the defense of Leningrad, Murmansk and polar regions, covering operations for Allied convoys, Petsamo–Kirkenes Offensive. In total, during the war he made 367 sorties on the I-16 LaGG-3 and P-39 fighters, in 79 air battles personally shot down 14 enemy planes and 28 – in a group.

After the war he continued service in the Air Force combat units (in polar regions). In 1949 he graduated from Lipetsk senior officers’ aircraft and tactical courses. Commanded a division (in the Group of the Soviet Forces in Germany), corps (in the Baltic Military District). In 1957 he graduated from Military Academy of General Staff. In 1957-1959 - Deputy Commander for military training, in 1959-1961- First Deputy Commander of the 30^th Air Army (the Baltic Military District). In 1961-1967 he commanded the 48^th Air Army (the Odessa Military District). In 1967-1969 - First Deputy Commander of the Air Force. From March 1969 - Chief of the Air Force of the country.

During his leadership, the Air Force reached the highest development and recovery. At the urging of P. Kutakhov hundreds of air regiments were again (after “Khruschev” reductions) formed and equipped with modern technology. Commander in Chief, his deputies and Air Force General Staff did a great job on creating mixed shock and front aviation associations of Reserve Command.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on August 15, 1984 for his contribution to increase the combat readiness and equipment of modern aircraft and the Air Force in connection owing to his 70th anniversary, Air Chief Marshal Pavel Kutakhov was awarded the Order of Lenin and the second Gold Star medal (№ 123/II).

He lived in Moscow. He died on December 3, 1984. He was buried at Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.

Air Chief Marshal (1972), Honored Military Pilot of the USSR (1966), Laureate of Lenin Prize (1983). He was awarded four Orders of Lenin (05/01/1943, 08/15/1974, 02/21/1978, 08/15/1984), the Order of the October Revolution (05/04/1972), five Orders of the Red Banner (05/01/1942, 07/13/1942, 02/22/1955, 12/30/1956, 02/22/1968), the 1^st Class Order of Kutuzov (11/04/1981), Alexander Nevsky (11/05/1944), the 1^st Class Order of the Patriotic War (09/22/1943), two Orders of the Red Star (11/15/1950, 04/29/1954), the 3^rd Class Order “For Service to Motherland in the USSR Armed Forces” (02/17/1976), medals, the 4^th Class Order of the British Empire (1944) and other international awards. A member of the CPSU Central Committee since 1971. A member of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in 1970.

A bronze bust of P. Kutakhov was installed in the village of Malokirsanovka and in Lyubertsy, Moscow Region. In Moscow, on the house where he lived, and in Taganrog on the school building, where he studied, memorial plaques were set. A street in Malokirsanovka and high school in Lyubertsy are named after him.