Vasily Filippovich Margelov | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Native name | Василий Филиппович Маргелов |
Born | 27 December (O.S. 14 December) 1908 Ekaterinoslav, Yekaterinoslav Governorate, Russian Empire (today Dnipro, Ukraine) |
Died | 4 March 1990 Moscow, RSFSR, Soviet Union |
Buried | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | Soviet airborne |
Years of service | 1928–1990 |
Rank | General of the Army |
Commands | |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | |
Spouse(s) |
|
Signature | ![]() |
Vasily Filippovich Margelov (Russian: Васи́лий Фили́ппович Марге́лов; Belarusian: Васі́ль Пілі́павіч Марге́лаў; 27 December [O.S. 14 December] 1908 – 4 March 1990) was a Red Army General who was the commander of the Soviet Airborne Forces (VDV) from 1954 to 1959 and from 1961 to 1979.[1] Margelov modernized the VDV and was a Hero of the Soviet Union.[2][3]
Author Carey Schofield wrote that Margelov "...is considered to be the real father of the VDV...[leading]...them through their most vital period of development."[4]