Vasily Ivanovich Kuznetsov (Russian: Василий Иванович Кузнецов; – 20 June 1964) was a Soviet general and a Hero of the Soviet Union.
Life and career
Kuznetsov was born to a working-class family in Ust-Usolka, Solikamsky Uyezd, Perm Governorate. In April 1915 he was drafted into the Imperial Russian Army, taking part in World War I. In March 1916 he completed officer training in Kazan, attaining the rank of a Podporuchik in July.
In August 1918, after the October Revolution, he joined the Red Army, serving in the Russian Civil War first as a company commander and later as a deputy regimental commander. In October 1923 he was appointed commander of 89th Rifle Regiment.
He joined the Communist Party in 1928. During 1929 he undertook advanced officers' training, and he graduated from the Frunze Academy in 1936. In October 1936 he became the 99th Rifle Division's commander. In July 1937, he was transferred to head the 16th Rifle Corps.
