Wilgelm Vitgeft
| Wilgelm Vitgeft | |
|---|---|
Wilgelm Vitgeft
|
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| Birth name | Wilgelm Vitgeft |
| Born |
October 14, 1847 Odessa, Russian Empire |
| Died | August 10, 1904 (aged 56) Yellow Sea (killed in action) |
| Allegiance |
 Russian Empire
|
| Service/branch |
 Imperial Russian Navy
|
| Years of service | 1868–1904 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | 1st Squadron Russian Pacific Fleet |
| Battles/wars |
Boxer Rebellion Russo-Japanese War |
Wilgelm Karlovich Vitgeft (Russian: Вильгельм Карлович Витгефт) (October 14, 1847 – August 10, 1904), sometimes written Wilhelm and Withöft was an admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy, noted for his service in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
Vitgeft was born in Odessa, and was of German ancestry. He graduated from the Sea Cadet Corps in 1868 and subsequently circumnavigated the globe on the clipper Wsadnik. After his return to Russia, he was promoted to warrant officer in 1870 and to lieutenant in 1873. From 1875 to 1878 he received specialized training as a naval artillery and mine warfare expert. Thereafter he served in various functions on ships of the Russian Baltic Fleet. In 1885, as a captain of the second rank, he was assigned his first command, that of the gunboat Groza. He subsequently served as an inspector of works for the Marine Technical Committee, and as the Assistant Chief Inspector of Mines, was responsible for testing naval mines.
In 1892, Vitgeft took over command of the cruiser Voyevoda and was promoted to Captain 1st Rank in 1894. On 26 October 1899 Vitgeft was promoted to Rear Admiral and was transferred to the Russian Pacific Fleet. He was awarded the Order of St. Stanislaus (1st class with Swords) for participation in the Russian-Chinese War of 1900, and was also decorated by the Empire of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun, 2nd class. He served as chief of staff to Viceroy, Yevgeny Alexeiev, from 1900-1903.
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