26. 2. 1910 - 13. 5. 1988

Sergey Gorshkov was Chief of Navy of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics – the USSR Deputy Defense Minister, Admiral.

He was born on 13 (26) February 1910 in Kamenets-Podolsky, now Khmelnitsky region, the Ukraine, in a teacher's family. Russian. In the Navy since 1927. In 1931 he graduated from the Naval Academy, in 1937 - the courses of commanders of destroyers, in 1941 - Advanced Training Courses for commanders at the Naval Academy.

Participated in World War II. A member of the CPSU (B) / Communist Party since 1942. During the defense of Odessa, S. Gorshkov headed the first marine landing on the Black Sea near Grigoryevka (now Kominternovsky district of Odessa region, the Ukraine), which contributed to the successful counterattack of the Odessa Defense Region forces. From October 1941 he commanded the Azov Flotilla. From August 1942 he was deputy commander of the defense area of Novorossiysk, from November - the commander of the 47^th Army, from February 1943 - re-Azov Flotilla Commander, and from April 1944 - the Danube Flotilla. On September 25, 1944 Rear-Admiral, S. Gorshkov was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral.

In November 1944, the ships of the Danube Flotilla were moved up the Danube to take part in the storming of Budapest. Flotilla Commander, Vice-Admiral S. Gorshkov believed that a key part of the operation should be landing in Gerjen as that was a perfect springboard for an offensive to Lake Balaton. Having reached it, the Marines closed the encirclement of the capital of Hungary. Because the armored enemy batteries drowned on our troopers and armored boats from the west bank, an artillery brigade was sent to help them. The German guns began roaring, when both brigades of armored boats were already on the approaches to Gerjen. As the plan of operation forecasted, only the covering team’s boats went into action. At that time, landing craft continued to move forward very slowly, trying not to break the camouflage. As a result, the troops were brought to the landing without any loss, and on December 1, 1944 after a fierce three-hour battle with the Soviet marines, the enemy left Gerjen. That was the last front-line operation, which was led by S. Gorshkov ...

In January 1945, Vice-Admiral S. Gorshkov was appointed commander of the squadron of the Black Sea Fleet. In this capacity, he met the victory over Nazi Germany.

In 1948-51 S. Gorshkov - Chief of Staff, in 1951-55 – the Black Sea Fleet Commander.

Since July 1955, Admiral Gorshkov - First Deputy Commander in Chief, and from January 1956 to 1985 - Chief of the Navy of the USSR - Deputy Minister of Defence of the USSR.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on May 7, 1965 “For his leadership of the troops, personal courage in the fight against the Nazi invaders, and to mark the 20^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War”, Admiral of the Fleet Sergey Gorshkov was awarded the title of Hero the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal (№ 10 684).

On October 26, 1967 S. Gorshkov was awarded the highest military rank of Admiral.

As head of the Soviet Navy, he made a great contribution to the post-war development and construction, equipping it with modern ships and military equipment. By law, Admiral Gorshkov is believed to be the creator of the largest and most powerful navy in the history of our country.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on December 21, 1982 “For his great contribution to the readiness of the Navy, equipped with warships and for his leadership”, Sergey Gorshkov was awarded the second Gold Star medal (№ 118).

Since 1985, S. Gorshkov was in the Group of Inspectors General of the Ministry of Defence. Since 1961, he was a member of the CPSU Central Committee (the candidate - since 1956). A member of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 4^th-11^th convocations. Laureate of Lenin Prize (medal № 3591 dated 04/21/1985), and the USSR State Prize (medal № 9250 dated 08/06/1980).

Died on May 13, 1988. He was buried at Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow.

Was awarded seven Orders of Lenin (№ 225064 dated 02/26/53, № 333575 dated 02/25/60, № 342635 dated 04/28/63, № 343485 dated 05/07/65, № 391856 dated 02/25/70, № 400292 dated 02/21/78, № 429830 dated 12/21/82), the Order of the October Revolution (№ 11 dated 02/22/68), four Orders of the Red Banner (№ 22023 dated 04/03/42, № 3317/2 dated 7/24/43, № 4396/3 dated 11/06/47, № 561766 dated 07/23/59), the 1^st Class Order of Ushakov (№ 36 dated 06/28/45), and 2^nd Class (№ 233 dated 05/16/44), the 1^st Class Order of Kutuzov (№ 206 dated 09/18/43), the 1^st Class Order of the Patriotic War (№ 451261 - 04/06/85), the Order of the Red Star (№ 851200 dated 11/03/44), and “For the Service to the Motherland in the USSR Armed Forces” of the third degree (№ 17 dated 04/30/75), the medals, arms in honor, and fifty-two foreign orders and medals.

Honorary citizen of Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk region (07/26/1978).

A bronze bust of twice Hero of the Soviet Union Sergey Gorshkov was set in Kolomna, Moscow region. In Sevastopol, on the building of the Red Banner Black Sea Fleet headquarters, a memorial plaque was installed in honor of the Hero.