Vasily Glazunov

Vasily Afanasyevich Glazunov (Russian: Василий Афанасьевич Глазунов; – 27 June 1967) was a Soviet lieutenant general, who was the first commander of the Soviet airborne forces (VDV). He was twice awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union.

Early life Vasily Afanasyevich Glazunov was born on 1 January 1896 in Varvarovka village, Serdobsky Uyezd, Saratov Governorate in the Russian Empire, to a family of peasants. In 1908, he graduated from third grade. Glazunov worked for the landowners until 1914. and became a private in the 135th Reserve Battalion in Balashov. In September, he was transferred to the 195th Infantry Regiment in Baranovichi. He fought in battles on the Southwestern Front. Glazunov became sick with Typhoid fever in December and was sent to the hospital. In February 1916, he became a squad leader in the 198th Alexander Nevsky Infantry Regiment, fighting on the Southwestern Front. Glazunov was demobilized in February 1918 as a junior noncommissioned officer.

In July 1934, he became the assistant commander of the 168th Rifle Regiment of the 56th Rifle Division in Porkhov. In June 1937, Glazunov became assistant commander of the division and in July 1939 became the commander of the 59th Rifle Division. In December 1940, he was sent to the advance training courses at Frunze Military Academy, from which he graduated in May 1941. in Pervomaisk. He fought in the Battle of Kiev. On 29 August, Glazunov became the commander of the Soviet Airborne Troops. He organized the training of the airborne and the formation of ten airborne corps and five brigades. In January and February 1942, Glazunov planned and conducted the Vyazma Airborne Operation during the Rzhev-Vyazma Offensive. On 27 March 1942, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. In June 1943, Glazunov was released from command and became the deputy commander of the 29th Guards Rifle Corps. which he would lead until the end of the war. Glazunov led the corps through the Battle of the Dnieper, the Nikopol–Krivoi Rog Offensive and the Odessa Offensive.

In early June 1944, the corps was transferred to the 1st Belorussian Front at Kovel. During the Vistula–Oder Offensive, the corps crossed the Vistula and captured a number of settlements, for which it was awarded the title 'Brandenburg'. On 6 April 1945, Glazunov was awarded a second Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his actions in holding the Magnushev bridgehead during the Lublin–Brest Offensive. During the Berlin Offensive, the corps took part in the breakthrough in the Battle of the Seelow Heights and crossed the Spree. In Berlin, the corps captured the Ministry of Aviation and the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda. For his leadership in the capture of Berlin, Glazunov was awarded a third Order of Lenin.

Legacy In 1951, a bronze bust of Glazunov was installed in the village of Kolyshley in the Penza Oblast. A street in Dolgoprudny is also named after Glazunov.

Awards Twice Hero of the Soviet Union (19 March 1944 and 6 April 1945) Three Order of Lenin (19 March 1944, 6 April 1945, 29 May 1945) Three Order of the Red Banner (27 March 1942, 11 March 1944, 20 June 1949) Order of Suvorov 2nd class (22 February 1944) Order of Kutuzov 2nd class (23 August 1944) Two Order of the Red Star (16 August 1936, 28 October 1967) Virtuti Militari, silver Cross campaign and jubilee medals