Soviet Union World War II Army General. He joined the Red Army in 1917 and served in the Russian Civil War. He received his military education from the Frunze Military Academy and the Soviet General Staff Academy. Following graduation he served as Chief of Staff of the Leningrad Military District, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff of the Odessa Military District prior to the outbreak of World War II. Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, he was transferred from his southern command to the Northwestern Theatre and was appointed as Chief of Staff. The following year he was promoted to Chief of Staff of what eventually became the 2nd Ukrainian Front. Under the commands of Generals Ivan Konev and Rodion Malinovsky he was successful in launching over 20 successful offensive operations against the German armies. Following the defeat of Germany he was appointed as Chief of Staff of the Transbaikal Front to conduct military operations against the Japanese. Following the successful conclusion of the war he was awarded the rank of "Hero of the Soviet Union." Between 1945 and 1960, he served in several high ranking Soviet commands including Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Chief inspector of the Red Army, Commander in Chief of the Leningrad Military District and Commander of Soviet forces in Germany. In May 1959 he was awarded the rank of "Marshal of the Soviet Union," Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Minister of Defense. In 1961 he was appointed to the Central Commmittee as a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He was a five time recipient of the "Order of Lenin," a four time recipient of the "Order of the Red Banner" and the recipient of numerous Soviet Awards and medals including the Red and Gold Stars.