Vasily Petrov (marshal)

2.1. World War II Service

During World War II, Vasiliy Petrov distinguished himself in various combat engagements on the Eastern Front. He was actively involved in the pivotal defence of Odessa in 1941 and the prolonged defence of Sevastopol from 1941 to 1942. His combat experience further extended to the Campaign in the Caucasus, a critical series of operations in 1942 and 1943. Later in the war, Petrov participated in the liberation of Ukraine as part of the Soviet Union. He also took part in the invasion of Romania and the Budapest Offensive in Hungary, contributing to the final stages of the war against the Axis powers.

2.2. Post-War Career and Education

Following the conclusion of World War II, Petrov continued his military education and steadily advanced through various command and staff roles. He completed the Accelerated Course of the Frunze Military Academy in Moscow, a prestigious military educational institution. In 1948, he further enhanced his expertise by graduating from the academy's Special Course. In the early post-war years, Petrov served in various staff roles at the army level, gaining crucial experience in military administration and planning. In June 1953, he was assigned as a regimental commander within the 39th Rifle Division. His leadership skills led to his promotion to division chief of staff in December 1955.

2.3. Commands and Promotions

Vasiliy Petrov's career saw a consistent upward trajectory through the military ranks and key commands. In January 1957, he was promoted to division commander, continuing to lead the 129th Motor Rifle Division after the 39th Rifle Division was reorganized later that year. His progression continued with promotions to Colonel in 1952, Major General in 1961, Lieutenant General in 1965, Colonel General in 1970, and General in 1972.

Petrov's leadership roles expanded significantly over the years. In July 1961, he became an army chief of staff, and in June 1964, he assumed command of an army. He was appointed chief of staff of the Far Eastern Military District in January 1966, a strategically important region. In April 1972, he was promoted to commander of the Far Eastern Military District, a position he held until 1976. From 1976 to 1979, he served as the First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Soviet Ground Forces. This was followed by a period from 1979 to 1980 as the Commander-in-Chief of the Far Eastern Theatre of Military Operations. His distinguished career culminated in his appointment as Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1983, the highest military rank in the Soviet armed forces. Prior to this, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Soviet Ground Forces from 1980 to 1985. Following this, he succeeded Sergey Sokolov as the First Deputy Minister of Defence of the Soviet Union from 1985 until his retirement in 1986.

4.1. Soviet and Russian Federation Awards

• Hero of the Soviet Union (February 16, 1982)
• Order of Alexander Nevskiy (May 3, 2012)
• Four Orders of Lenin (December 1967, February 1978, February 16, 1982, January 1987)
• Order of the October Revolution (February 1974)
• Order of the Red Banner (October 1944)
• Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class (July 1944, April 1985), 2nd class (October 1943)
• Order of the Red Star (November 1942, October 1955)
• Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR, 3rd class (February 1976)
• Medal for Combat Service
• Medal "For Distinction in Guarding the State Border of the USSR"
• Medal "For the Defence of the Caucasus"
• Medal "For the Defence of Odessa"
• Medal "For the Defence of Sevastopol"
• Medal "For Strengthening Military Cooperation"
• Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
• Jubilee Medal "Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
• Jubilee Medal "Thirty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
• Jubilee Medal "Forty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
• Medal "For the Capture of Budapest"
• Jubilee Medal "50 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
• Jubilee Medal "60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
• Jubilee Medal "65 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"
• Order of St. Grand Prince Dmitriy Donskoy, 2nd class (Faith-based award)

4.2. Foreign Awards

• Order "Ernesto Che Guevara", 1st class (Cuba, 1985)
• Order of the Red Banner (Czechoslovakia, 1982)
• Order of Victorious February (Czechoslovakia, 1985)
• Order of Sukhbaatar (Mongolia, 1981)
• Order of the Red Banner (Mongolia, 1982)
• Order "For Military Merit" (Mongolia, 1971)
• Scharnhorst Order (East Germany, 1983)
• Order of the Flag of the Hungarian People's Republic with diamonds (Hungary, 1985)
• Order of Tudor Vladimirescu, 1st class (Romania, 1974)
• Order "For Military Merit", 1st class (Romania, 1985)
• Order of the National Flag (Ethiopia, 1982)
• Order of the National Flag of Korea (North Korea, 1985)
• Order "The People's Republic of Bulgaria", 1st class (Bulgaria, 1985)
• Order "For Military Valour", 1st class (1983)