Russian General. Born in the town of Verchnyaya Lyubovska to poor Russian peasants, he entered the Red Army in 1939, before joining the Communist Party in 1942. He served as a tank brigade commander during the Second World War from 1943 to 1945. He was a graduate of the Gronzy Military Infantry School in 1941, and the Frunze Military Academy in 1953. From 1967 to 1969 he commanded the Kiev Military District, and from 1969 to 1971 he served as commander of Soviet military forces in Germany. Following his command in Germany, he was appointed to the position of Chief of the General Staff of Soviet armed forces from 1971 to 1977, and as head of the Warsaw Pact military alliance from 1977 to 1989. In 1968 he helped organize the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, crushing efforts by that nation to form a government based on Democratic Socialism. In January 1977 he was awarded the prestigious title of "Marshal of the Soviet Union," and four years later he was awarded the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union" for his battlefield achievements during the Great Patriotic War. He was the recipient of four Orders of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner, two Orders of the Patriotic War and the Order of the Red Star. He died in the nation's capital at the age of 91, following a prolonged illness.
Russian General. Born in the town of Verchnyaya Lyubovska to poor Russian peasants, he entered the Red Army in 1939, before joining the Communist Party in 1942. He served as a tank brigade commander during the Second World War from 1943 to 1945. He was a graduate of the Gronzy Military Infantry School in 1941, and the Frunze Military Academy in 1953. From 1967 to 1969 he commanded the Kiev Military District, and from 1969 to 1971 he served as commander of Soviet military forces in Germany. Following his command in Germany, he was appointed to the position of Chief of the General Staff of Soviet armed forces from 1971 to 1977, and as head of the Warsaw Pact military alliance from 1977 to 1989. In 1968 he helped organize the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, crushing efforts by that nation to form a government based on Democratic Socialism. In January 1977 he was awarded the prestigious title of "Marshal of the Soviet Union," and four years later he was awarded the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union" for his battlefield achievements during the Great Patriotic War. He was the recipient of four Orders of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner, two Orders of the Patriotic War and the Order of the Red Star. He died in the nation's capital at the age of 91, following a prolonged illness.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
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