Arkady Boitsov was born on March 17, 1923, in Podolsk, Moscow Oblast, into a family of employees. He completed secondary school and studied at a leather and footwear technical school in Moscow. He joined the Soviet Army in 1941 and later graduated from the Chernigov Military Pilot School.
He served on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War starting in October 1942. During this period, he was part of a fighter aviation regiment of the country’s Air Defense Forces (PVO) and carried out 15 combat sorties.
Korean War Service and Heroism
Boitsov continued his service with the Air Force, participating with his regiment in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. During aerial engagements, he personally destroyed six enemy aircraft. On July 14, 1953, Major Boitsov, deputy squadron commander for political affairs of the 16th Fighter Aviation Regiment (IAP), was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and valor demonstrated in fulfilling his military duty.
Post-War Career and Legacy
Upon returning to the Soviet Union, he continued his service. In 1958, Arkady Sergeevich graduated from the Air Force Academy, and in 1966, from the Military Academy of the General Staff. He served as deputy commander of the Air Defense Forces (PVO) Air Force. Major General Boitsov retired in 1976 and lived and worked in Kuybyshev.
He was awarded the Order of Lenin (twice), the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, and the Order of the Red Star (thrice). Arkady Sergeevich Boitsov passed away on June 15, 2000. He famously flew the MiG-15bis, notably with the 16th IAP in Mukden in 1952 and the 161st IAP in 1953.