Global InformationVasili Yanchenko information
Vasili Ivanovich Yanchenko | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1 January 1894 Nikolsk-Ussuriski Region |
| Died | August 1959 (age 65) Dade County, Florida |
| Allegiance |  Russian Empire |
| Service/ | Imperial Russian Air Service |
| Years of service | Imperial Russian Air Service: 1914–1917; Volunteer Army: 1918–1920 |
| Rank | Kapitan |
| Unit | Imperial Russian Air Service: Guards Aviation Detachment, 12th Korpusnoi Aviatsionniy Otryad (Corps Aviation Detachment), 7th Aviatsionniy Otryad Istrebitlei (Fighter Aviation Detachment), 32nd Korpusnoi Aviatsionniy Otryad (Corps Aviation Detachment) Russian Volunteer Army: 2nd Air Squadron |
| Commands held | 2nd Air Squadron |
| Awards | Order of Saint George 4th Class, Cross of Saint George (all four classes), Order of Saint Vladimir Fourth Class, Order of Saint Anne Fourth Class, Romanian Order of the Star and Military Service Medal 2nd Class |
Kapitan Vasili Ivanovich Yanchenko (1 January 1894 – August 1959) was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. He graduated his secondary education as a mechanical engineer in 1913, with an interest in aviation. He learned to fly shortly after graduation.
As his native Russia became embroiled in World War I, Yanchenko volunteered for military aviation duty on 22 November 1914. After being trained as a pilot the Imperial Russian Air Service way, he was posted to fly reconnaissance in combat on 4 September 1915. Undaunted by an onboard fire on his first combat mission, he continued to fly his missions despite burns.
Reassigned to fighters after additional training, he was sent to a unit commanded by an officer with whom he had a personality clash. His career as a fighter pilot did not take off until his reassignment to the prestigious 7th Fighter Aviation Detachment. He would score 13 aerial victories with the 7th, rise from the enlisted ranks to become an officer, and garner numerous decorations. He would also befriend fellow Russian aces Donat Makijonek, Juri Gilsher, and Ivan Orlov. After they became casualties, he transferred units. He would score three more victories in his new unit as the Russian Revolution sapped the will to fight from the IRAS. As a result, Yanchenko defected to the White Russian forces and fought the Bolsheviks from August 1918 to August 1920.
After the Volunteer Army's defeat, Yanchenko emigrated to the United States to forge a life's work as an engineer.