Origins & Early Life

Vasily Filippovich Margelov (Russian: Васи́лий Фили́ппович Марге́лов; Belarusian: Васі́ль Пілі́павіч Марге́лаў; 27 December [O.S. 14 December] 1908 – 4 March 1990) was a Red Army General who commanded the Soviet Airborne Forces (VDV) from 1954 to 1959 and from 1961 to 1979. During his total of 23 years commanding the Soviet Airborne Forces, Margelov reformed and modernized the VDV. He was named a Hero of the Soviet Union in March 1944.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After serving over 60 years in the Soviet military, Margelov retired early in 1990, dying on 4 March in the same year. Author Carey Schofield assessed that Margelov "...is considered to be the real father of the VDV...[leading]...them through their most vital period of development." Vasily Markelov (later changed to Margelov due to a spelling error) was born on 27 December 1906 in the city of Ekaterinoslav, the son of Belarusian parents Filipp Ivanovich Markelov and Agata Stepanovna. His father, Filipp Markelov, worked in an iron foundry. In 1913, the Markelov family returned to Belarus and settled in Kastsyukovichy, the hometown of Margelov's father, where he graduated from the local parochial school in the mid-1910s. As a teenager...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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