Vladimir Kryukov (general)

Vladimir Viktorovich Kryukov (Russian: Влади́мир Ви́кторович Крю́ков; 15 July [O.S. 2 July] 1897 – 16 August 1959) was a Soviet Army lieutenant general and a Hero of the Soviet Union.

Vladimir Viktorovich Kryukov
Native name	Владимир Викторович Крюков
Born	15 July [O.S. 2 July] 1897 Buturlinovka, Bobrovsky Uyezd, Voronezh Governorate, Russian Empire
Died	16 August 1959 (aged 62) Moscow, Soviet Union
Allegiance	Russian Empire  Soviet Union
Service/branch	Red Army
Years of service	1914 – 1948 1953 – 1957
Rank	Lieutenant General
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Hero of the Soviet Union

Kryukov joined the Imperial Russian Army after the beginning of World War I, fighting on the Western Front and becoming an officer by his demobilization in December 1917. He commanded a Red Guard detachment during the early stages of the Russian Civil War, but soon transferred to the Red Army. Kryukov commanded cavalry units on the Southern Front, and continued his service during the interwar period. He led a rifle regiment during the Winter War, and after its end became a rifle brigade commander.

Soon after this promotion Kryukov received the rank of major general. In the spring of 1941 he became commander of the 10th Mechanized Corps' 198th Motorized Division. Kryukov led the division during the Leningrad Strategic Defensive in the summer and fall of 1941, in which it was converted into a rifle division. Between January and February 1942 Kryukov commanded the 10th Cavalry Corps. From March of that year he commanded the 2nd Guards Cavalry Corps. Shortly after taking command of the corps, Kryukov met folk singer Lidia Ruslanova, whom he married soon afterwards. He led the corps through the rest of the war, and was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his leadership in the Vistula–Oder Offensive and the East Pomeranian Offensive.

Postwar, Kryukov became commander of a cavalry school and deputy commander of a rifle corps. In September 1948 he and his wife were arrested for looting during their time in East Prussia. In November 1951 Kryukov was sentenced to 25 years in the Gulag, and deprived of his rank and decorations. After Stalin died, Kryukov was pardoned, and his rank and decorations were restored. He graduated from courses at the Military Academy of the General Staff and became deputy chief of the Red Army Military Law Academy. Kryukov retired in 1957 and died two years later.