Zhukov Georgy Konstantinovich
Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov was a Soviet military commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union, and four times Hero of the Soviet Union. He became known in history and national memory as the "Marshal of Victory."
Years of life: December 1, 1896 — June 18, 1974
Early years and early service
He was born in the village of Strelkovka, Kaluga province, into a peasant family. He graduated from a parish school, then studied furriery with his uncle in Moscow. At the same time, he was engaged in self-education and in 1911 passed the exams for the full course of the city college.
In 1915, he was drafted into the army and served in the cavalry. For bravery in the battles of the First World War, he was awarded two St. George Crosses. In 1918, he joined the Red Army, participated in the Civil War, commanded a squadron; for military services he received the Order of the Red Banner.
Key stages of a military career
The 1930s. He commanded cavalry formations and was trained at the courses of the highest commanding staff.
Khalkhin Gol (1939). Commanding Soviet troops in Mongolia, he conducted a successful operation to encircle and defeat Japanese forces. This victory earned him the first Hero of the Soviet Union star and showed his talent in organizing a maneuverable war.
The pre-war period. In early 1941, he was Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army.
The Great Patriotic War.
The Defense of Moscow (autumn–winter 1941). Zhukov played a crucial role in stabilizing the front and organizing the counteroffensive, which was the first major defeat of the Wehrmacht.
Breaking the siege of Leningrad, the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of Kursk. As a representative of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, he coordinated the actions of the fronts and participated in the planning of key operations.
Operation Bagration (1944). He coordinated the actions of the 1st and 2nd Belorussian fronts; the operation led to the defeat of Army Group Center and the liberation of Belarus.
The Vistula‑The Oder and Berlin operations (1945). He commanded the 1st Belorussian Front; troops under his leadership broke through to the German capital and took Berlin.
On May 8, 1945, in Karlshorst, Zhukov accepted the unconditional surrender of Germany on behalf of the USSR.
On June 24, 1945, he hosted the Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow.
Post-war fate
In 1946, he fell into disgrace and was transferred to command the Odessa and then the Ural military districts.
After Stalin's death, he returned to the top military leadership.
In 1955-1957, he was Minister of Defense of the USSR.
In 1957, he was removed from office and actually suspended from active service.
He worked on his memoirs: the book "Memories and Reflections" (1969) became one of the most important testimonies about the war and remained a bestseller for a long time.
He died on June 18, 1974. The urn with ashes is buried in the Kremlin wall on Red Square.
Awards and titles
Four times Hero of the Soviet Union (1939, 1944, 1945, 1956).
Two Orders of Victory (among the first holders).
There are many Soviet and foreign orders and medals.