Georgy Zhukov | |
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Гео́ргий Жу́ков | |
Zhukov in 1944
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Minister of Defence | |
In office 9 February 1955 – 26 October 1957 |
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Premier | Nikolai Bulganin |
Preceded by | Nikolai Bulganin |
Succeeded by | Rodion Malinovsky |
Full member of the 20th Politburo | |
In office 29 June – 29 October 1957 |
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Candidate member of the 20th Politburo | |
In office 27 February 1956 – 29 June 1957 |
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Personal details | |
Born |
Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (Гео́ргий Константи́нович Жу́ков) 1 December 1896 Strelkovka, Russian Empire |
Died | 18 June 1974 Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
(aged 77)
Nationality | Soviet Union |
Political party | Communist Party of the Soviet Union |
Spouse(s) | Alexandra Dievna Zuikova (1920–1953) Galina Alexandrovna Semyonova (1965–1974) |
Children |
Era Zhukova (born 1928) |
Profession | Soldier |
Religion | Russian Orthodox (See the Retirement section of this article) |
Awards | |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance |
Russian Empire Soviet Union |
Service/branch |
Russian Imperial Army Soviet Army |
Years of service | 1915–1957 |
Rank | Marshal of the Soviet Union |
Commands |
Kiev Military District Chief of the General Staff Reserve Front Leningrad Front Western Front 1st Belorussian Front Odessa Military District |
Battles/wars |
World War I Russian Civil War Soviet–Japanese Border War (Battles of Khalkhin Gol) Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina Great Patriotic War |
Era Zhukova (born 1928)
Margarita Zhukova (1929–2011)
Ella Zhukova (1937–2010)
Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (Russian: Гео́ргий Константи́нович Жу́ков; IPA: [ɡʲɪˈorgʲɪj kənstɐnˈtʲinəvʲɪtɕ ˈʐukəf]; 1 December [O.S. 19 November] 1896 – 18 June 1974), was a career Russian officer in the Red Army of the Soviet Union who became Chief of General Staff, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Minister of Defence and a member of the Politburo. During World War II he participated in multiple battles, ultimately commanding the 1st Belorussian Front in the Battle of Berlin.
In recognition of Zhukov's role in World War II, he was allowed to participate in signing the German Instrument of Surrender and to inspect the Moscow Victory Parade of 1945.
Born into a poverty-stricken peasant family in Strelkovka, Maloyaroslavsky Uyezd, Kaluga Governorate (now merged into the town of Zhukov in Zhukovsky District of Kaluga Oblast in modern-day Russia), Zhukov became an apprentice furrier in Moscow. In 1915 the Army of the Russian Empire conscripted him; he served first in the 106th Reserve Cavalry Regiment (then called the 10th Dragoon Novgorod Regiment). During World War I, Zhukov was awarded the Cross of St. George twice, and promoted to the rank of non-commissioned officer for his bravery in battle. He joined the Bolshevik Party after the 1917 October Revolution; in Party circles his background of poverty became a significant asset. After recovering from a serious case of typhus he fought in the Russian Civil War over the period 1918 to 1921, serving with the 1st Cavalry Army, among other formations. He received the decoration of the Order of the Red Banner for his part in subduing the Tambov Rebellion in 1921.