Georgy Andreyevich Stepanov | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 November [O.S. 18 November] 1890 Kronstadt, Saint Petersburg Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Died | 3 January 1957 (aged 66) Leningrad, Soviet Union |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Russian Empire Soviet Union |
| Service |  Imperial Russian Navy Soviet Navy |
| Years of service | 1908–1953 |
| Rank | Vice-Admiral |
| Commands | |
| Awards | Russian Empire
Foreign Awards
|
Georgy Andreyevich Stepanov (Russian: Георгий Андреевич Степанов) (30 November [O.S. 18 November] 1890 – 3 January 1957) was an officer of the Soviet Navy. He rose to the rank of vice-admiral and was commander of the Onega and White Sea Military Flotillas, as well as acting-commander of the Black Sea Fleet.
Born into a naval dynasty, Stepanov embarked on a career in the Imperial Russian Navy, serving as a torpedo officer with the Baltic Fleet during the First World War. He continued his naval career after the Russian Revolution, siding with the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War, taking part in the Ice Cruise of the Baltic Fleet and then commanding the Onega Military Flotilla, seeing action against the White Finns. He then served in staff positions with the Black Sea Fleet, interspersed with courses at the Naval Academy. He graduated to a teaching post at the Academy and after serving as senior director, and department head, became head of the Academy itself. Recalled to seagoing service with the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Stepanov was appointed to command the White Sea Military Flotilla, an important task that required protecting the Arctic convoys. Recalled to Moscow he was appointed acting head of the Main Naval Staff, but came in for criticism after losses in the Black Sea, and was demoted for a period.
Returning to academia after the war, he was attached to the Naval Academy once more, until 1948, when he and several fellow officers were convicted of passing secrets to Britain and the US during the war years. Stepanov was imprisoned for a time, but was fully rehabilitated after the death of Stalin. He returned to academic life, and died in 1957. He had received a number of awards from both the Tsarist and Soviet governments over his long career.