The Sniperess and the First Lady: Lyudmila Palvicheko's American Tour

Lyudmila with Roosevelt

In 1942, a 26 year old Soviet sniper captivated the American imagination as she toured the U.S with Elenor Roosevelt. She kissed Charlie Chaplain's hand. She inspired a Woody Gutherie song. She had 309 confirmed kills, making her the most successful female sniper in recorded history.

"Washington, D.C. International youth assembly. Liudmila Pavlichenko, famous Russian sniper, with Mrs. Roosevelt and Justice Robert Jackson." Locs Public Domain Archive. January 1 1942. Accessed on July 24 2025.