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Gen Legesse Tefera receiving the highest honor from Ethiopia’s former President Mengistu Hailemariam
ESAT News (October 5, 2016)
Ethiopia’s most decorated air force pilot passed away in Washington, DC today where he was receiving treatment after he was diagnosed with an ailment.
General Tefera Legese shot to fame in the mid 1970s when he brought down five jets of the Somali invading forces. General Legesse is one of the three recipients of the highest honor for heroic deeds in combat with an enemy.
During one of his heroic missions General Tefera was shot down and detained in Somalia for eleven years. Upon his release, he became instructor at the Ethiopian Air Force.
He left his country when the TPLF/EPRDF took power in 1991 and lived in exile in the United States.
He was also an honorary guest for the current Cuban President Raúl Castro, who pinned him a medal of honor.
The General is survived by two children, Nestanet Legesse and Lulit Legesse.
