Ivan Nikitich Konev

Ivan Nikitich Konev (; 5 January 1899 – 19 November 1983) was a Soviet major general during World War II and a Hero of the Soviet Union. Konev led the 3rd Guards Airborne Division through most of the war and was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his leadership of the division during the Second Jassy–Kishinev Offensive. Postwar, Konev continued to serve in the Soviet Army and became the deputy commander of multiple army corps.

Early life and Russian Civil War Ivan Nikitich Konev was born on 5 January 1899 in Sheshminskaya Krepost village in Samara Governorate to a peasant family. In 1913, he graduated from sixth grade and in 1915 he was working as a messenger and labourer in Baku. After the October Revolution, he became the secretary of the Sheshminskaya Parish Executive Committee. In January 1918, he volunteered for the Bulguminsky Uyezd Red Guards.

Between January and March 1943, the division fought in the Battle of Demyansk with the 1st Shock Army. In late March, the division was relocated to the 13th Army at Ponyri in the Kursk Bulge. From 5 to 12 July, the division fought in the Battle of Kursk. On 16 July, the division went on the offensive during Operation Kutuzov and reportedly killed 9,600 German soldiers, knocking out 33 tanks. On 28 July, Konev was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. The division then fought in the Chernigov-Pripyat Offensive. Advancing westward, the division crossed the Ukrainian border in late August. In September, the division crossed the Dnieper after capturing Oster. It then fought bloody battles to retain the bridgehead. On 11 November, the division fought in the capture of Radomyshl during the Battle of Kiev. From 5 March, the division fought in the Uman–Botoșani Offensive and captured Hristinovka railway station, which made the capture of Uman possible on 10 March. For its actions, the division was awarded the honorific "Uman" for its actions. Between 15 and 19 March, the division captured Tulchyn and Mohyliv-Podilskyi. It then fought in the Second Jassy–Kishinev Offensive during the summer. On 20 August, the 3rd Guards Airborne broke through the defensive line northwest of Iași ("Jassy"). By the end of 27 August, the division had reportedly advanced 300 kilometers and captured 200 settlements. It also reportedly killed 2,559 German and Romanian soldiers, 47 guns, 12 tanks and captured 3,918 enemy soldiers and 62 guns. On 30 August, the division captured Ploiești. On 13 September 1944, Konev was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for "courage and heroism displayed in the command of his division". On 19 September, he was promoted to major general.

The division then fought in the Battle of Debrecen. On 11 October, it helped capture Cluj-Napoca. The division advanced into Hungary and fought in the Budapest Offensive. On 30 November, it captured Eger. The division then crossed the Tisza and repulsed German counterattacks. The division then defended against German attacks in Operation Spring Awakening in March 1945. During late March, the division advanced westward and capture Zalaegerszeg. In early April, the division reached Austria and captured Fürstenfeld in the Vienna Offensive. By 9 May the division was at Graz, where Konev learned that the war was over and met with British troops.

Konev participated in the Moscow Victory Parade of 1945 on 24 June.

Postwar In June 1946, he became the commander of the 23rd Mechanized Division. A month later, he became the commander of the 106th Guards Airborne Division. In June 1947, he became chief of staff of the 137th Rifle Corps. He became its deputy commander in October 1948. Konev transferred to become deputy commander of the 14th Guards Rifle Corps in April 1952.

He retired in June 1955 and moved to Kuibyshev and died there on 19 November 1983. Konev is buried in the Rubezhnom Cemetery in Samara. Secondary School No.100 in Samara is named after Konev.