Nikolai Gerasimovich
Kuznetsov
1904-1974
Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov was a Soviet naval leader, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (May 31, 1944), and Hero of the Soviet Union (September 14, 1945). He was born on July 11, 1904, in the village of Medvedki (now in the Kotlas District of Arkhangelsk Oblast). In 1919, after adding two years to his age, he enlisted in the Northern Dvina Military Flotilla. From 1923 to 1926, he studied at the M.V. Frunze Naval School, graduating with honors. He served in the Black Sea Fleet on the cruiser “Chervona Ukraina” as a battery commander, company commander, and senior officer of the watch. From 1929 to 1932, he was a student at the Naval Academy (graduating with honors). From 1932 to 1933, he served as senior assistant commander of the cruiser “Krasny Kavkaz”. From November 1933 to August 1936, he commanded the cruiser “Chervona Ukraina,” where he perfected the single-ship combat readiness system. In August 1936, he was sent to the Spanish Civil War, where he served as the chief naval advisor to the Republican government, participating in the planning and execution of combat operations. For his service in Spain, he was awarded the Orders of Lenin and the Red Banner. From August 1937, he held the rank of Captain 1st Rank and served as Deputy Commander; from January 1938 to March 1939, he was Commander of the Pacific Fleet. Forces under his command supported ground operations during the battles at Lake Khasan. On February 2, 1938, he was awarded the military rank of Flag Officer 2nd Rank. In March 1939, he was appointed Deputy People’s Commissar of the USSR Navy. On April 3, 1939, he was awarded the extraordinary military rank of Fleet Flag Officer 2nd Rank. On the eve of the Great Patriotic War, he made significant contributions to enhancing the combat power of the Navy. On the night of June 22, 1941, he issued the order to bring the fleets to full combat readiness, which allowed them to avoid losses of ships and naval aviation on the first day of the war. During the war, he was a member of the Stavka of the Supreme High Command and directed the combat operations of the fleets and flotillas. The fleet under his leadership prevented an invasion of the Caucasus from the sea, with naval aviation and submarine forces operating actively. From February 2, 1945, he was a member of the State Defense Committee (GKO). He participated in the work of the Crimean and Potsdam conferences of the leaders of the three Allied powers. He led the Soviet Navy from 1939 to 1947 and again from 1951 to 1955. He made significant contributions to the development and construction of the Navy in the post-war period.
Адрес: Москва, Тверская ул., д. 9
