Vladimir Karpov

Vladimir Vasilyevich Karpov (; 28 July 1922 – 18 January 2010) was a Soviet soldier, writer of historical novels and public figure. He was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union for bravery in World War II.

Karpov was born in Orenburg, and moved to Tashkent as a child. He graduated from the Tashkent Military academy in 1941 when he was also the middleweight boxing champion of Uzbekistan. He was repressed in 1941 and transferred to a punishment battalion on the Kalinin Front in 1942. He was rehabilitated due to bravery in the face of the enemy in 1943 and promoted to lieutenant. He was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union in 1944 for capturing 79 prisoners.

After the war, Karpov attended the Frunze Military Academy (1947) and served in Central Asia, retiring as a regimental commander and chief of staff of a division in 1966.

Karpov started writing in 1945 and graduated from the Maxim Gorky Literature Institute via a correspondence course in 1954. From 1947 to 1954 he worked in GRU. From 1966 he was editor of the magazine Oktyabr in Uzbekistan and became editor of the magazine Novy Mir between 1981 and 1986. From 1986 to 1991, he was first secretary of the Union of Soviet Writers.

Fragments of an interview with Karpov was used in the controversial documentary film The Soviet Story.

Karpov died in Moscow and is buried in Troyekurovskoye Cemetery.

Awards Hero of the Soviet Union USSR State Prize Order of Lenin (2) Order of the October Revolution Order of the Red Banner Order of the Patriotic War 1st class Order of the Red Star (2) Medal "For Courage" Medal "For Battle Merit" Order of the Red Banner of Labour campaign and jubilee medals