Murad Ozdoev

Murad Ozdoev (Russian: Мурад Ахмедович Оздоев; 10 March 1922, Nazran, Chechen–Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic – 25 February 1999, Ingushetia) was a World War II Ingush ace.

He piloted U-2 biplane, LaGG-3, Yak-1, Yak-7, Yak-9. The Russian government credited him with eight air victories including high-altitude FW-189 labeled by the Soviet pilots as a "difficult to shoot down target". Performed 248 air battles. He was shot down aimed his burning aircraft onto the enemy railroad echelon and bailed out, captured by Germans, escaped from prison camp, captured again, was liberated from German camp on 8 May 1945 and returned to his service as a fighter pilot. He was dishonorably discharged 1946, and exiled to Kazakhstan to join other Chechens and Ingush deported to Central Asia. In 1957 after 12 years in exile to Atbasar town he returned to Chechen-Ingush ASSR and worked as a car mechanic in Nazran. He received his award Hero of the Russian Federation only on 8 May 1995 after the breakup of the USSR.