Ilmari Juutalainen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Eino Ilmari Juutilainen |
| Nickname(s) | Illu |
| Born | 21 February 1914 Lieksa, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire |
| Died | 21 February 1999 (aged 85) Tuusula, Finland |
| Allegiance | Finland |
| Service | Finnish Air Force |
| Years of service | 1932–1947 |
| Rank | Sergeant Major |
| Unit | LeLv 24 LeLv 34 |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | |
| Relations | Aarne Juutilainen (brother) |
| Other work | Professional pilot |
Eino Ilmari "Illu" Juutilainen (21 February 1914 – 21 February 1999) was a fighter pilot of the Ilmavoimat (Finnish Air Force), and the top scoring non-German fighter pilot of all time. The top flying ace of the Finnish Air Force, he led all Finnish pilots in score against Soviet aircraft in World War II (1939–40 and 1941–44), with 94 confirmed aerial combat victories (he himself claimed further kills for a total of 126 victories, but these were unconfirmed) in 437 sorties.[1] He achieved 58 of his victories while flying a Messerschmitt Bf 109G and 34 with a Brewster Buffalo.[2]
One of the four double recipients of the Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class, Juutilainen was born in Lieksa, and died in Tuusula. His brother was the Finnish Army Captain Aarne Juutilainen, nicknamed "The Terror of Morocco".[3]