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Viktor Ivanovich Belenko

Viktor Belenko Obituary

BELENKO

VIKTOR IVANOVICH BELENKO 1947-2023

After a life of legendary service to his adopted country, Viktor passed away on September 24, 2023 after a brief illness with his sons Tom and Paul by his side. Ever courageous, he will be missed by his American comrades. No memorial service planned.

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Published by The Washington Post on Oct. 9, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Viktor Belenko

23 Entries

atsushi

December 3, 2024

I am a fan of Japan.
Does anyone know where his grave is?
I would like to go to his grave and pray there.
Please let me know.

Chip

October 3, 2024

A year after Viktor´s passing, he still enters my memories and conversations. There was a time when he lived with us for a year and he joined me into tearing apart walls and ceilings to turn a small living room into a kitchen. Later on he would cook Russian meals for the family and teach our two young kids Russian swear words, which my daughter remembers to this day, some 30 years later.

Patrick E. "Pat" Peters

September 12, 2024

I was in college Army R.O.T.C. when Viktor Ivanovich flew his Foxbat to Japan. I was in awe when I read the book he co-authored with John Barron. He's been one of my personal heroes ever since. I just hope our country was able to give him happiness and peace of mind. My condolences to his sons. S! (salute), Viktor Ivanovich (Belenko) Schmidt. With love and gratitude from your adopted homeland.

Mild Bill

July 9, 2024

Yo Victor. Quite a shock to find out you passed. Hate that compadre. You´re probably shocked to see Gindu on the other side! Tell him yo for me. You two `try to stay out of trouble up there´! Sure do miss both of you boys. RIP compadres. I´ll be along in a couple more years. Love you both!
Mild Bill

Brian

July 3, 2024

Courageous guy. Complicated personal story. Heard he left behind a family in Russia...I hope his Russian son found peace. Thank you for your service.

Joy (Carson City)

June 26, 2024

Pilot. MiG-25 Foxbat. Quest for Freedom from an authoritarian government... =. Courageous Hero.

Renee Lorenz George

May 11, 2024

Saddened to just hear of Viktor's passing. He became good friends with our family in Oshkosh and would stay with us during his visits to EAA. Many fond memories. I'm attaching a print of a painting my father (Bob) did of Viktor during one of his visits.

Dr. Chip

April 3, 2024

Viktor was a brother, friend, and a colleague. We shared more than a few adventures and intrigues. He was unique, for sure...funny, courageous, and bluntly honest.

Giordan

March 5, 2024

Rest in Peace Viktor, your story is amazing and should be told in every school!

Vladimir

February 5, 2024

Zemlya steklovatoi

Judy

February 3, 2024

Rest in peace my friend.

Jose R.

December 23, 2023

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking care of this nation, I'll never forget you and your deeds. In pace requiescat! ;_;

Yanusz

December 9, 2023

When I was about 11yrs old, I bought "MiG Pilot" in paperback & could not stop reading it until the end. I then told my dad, 'You gotta read this book!". We are Polish & at the time Poland was behind the Iron Curtain. He read it & asked if he could loan it to others in the Polish community. Months went by & I finally asked my dad for the book back, a week later I got it back.., in 2 pieces! So many of my father's friends read it the spine broke!

Viktor's story should be required reading in every American school.

God speed Viktor Ivanovich.

Janice

December 2, 2023

You were my hero. So sad to hear of your passing. I wish I could have met you.

Don West

November 30, 2023

I remember his landing in Japan when i was a child. It was a big deal for a 7 year old kid who was an aviation enthusiast. 40 plus years later i was able to visit Russia several times and things had changed drastically since 1967. The people were/are wonderful but there are still some social and political issues.
I would guess Mr. Belenko appreciated his freedom more than the average American.

Nina

November 20, 2023

, , . 70-. , . .

Nelson Cerda

November 19, 2023

A pray on the memory of Viktor Ivanovich BELENKO, may God let him to rest in peace and fly beyond his most treasured dreams. A talented flyer that won a unique place in the history of military Aviation. I am quite sure "Pilot´s Heaven" it is a much interesting place, now that Viktor BELENKO got there, at last.
A respectful greeting for his family, sons and friends. Viktor Belenko will live forever, no doubt about it. (R.I.P.)

Charles M Schlom

November 19, 2023

I remember reading his book "MiG Pilot" which gave me such great insights as to military life in the Soviet Union. He clearly was a superior pilot. I had no idea he lived in Illinois. I would have loved to have met him.

Rich Sugden MD

November 19, 2023

Rich Sugden MD

November 19, 2023

Rich Sugden MD

November 19, 2023

RIP Viktor ... will miss your many stories and jokes!!

Michael Moore

November 19, 2023

I owned an insurance agency in Round Rock Tx in the late seventies when my office manager told me there was a guy from Russia filling out an application for car insurance. "Send him back," I said. We talked some and I asked him how the hell did he get out of Russsia? He smiled coyly and said," Thete are several ways to leave Russia." I was about to tell him I wanted to take him flying in my airplane but my phone was melting down and I let him get away. I did not know who he really was until the book was published. I was sick that I missed my chance to befriend Viktor Belenko. He was a true hero

Sam Newton

November 14, 2023

I find it astonishing there are no entries left here and no one, especially legend, certainly deserves such. God bless and thank you for the systems you helped teach us and appreciating life here as you were truly appreciated. God bless

-Sam Newton
Wheatfield, IN

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