Alexander Rodimtsev

Aleksandr Ilich Rodimtsev (1905 - 1977, Russian: Александр Ильич Родимцев) was a colonel general in the Soviet Red Army during World War II, twice Hero of the Soviet Union (1937, 1945).

He joined the Red Army in the 1920s, and fought in the Spanish Civil War on the side of the Republicans against Franco in 1936-37, where he earned his first decoration as a Hero of the Soviet Union. He is best remembered for his role in the Battle of Stalingrad, where he commanded the 13th Guards Rifle Division earning him his second order of Hero of the Soviet Union. The division was charged to hold the Germans between Mamaev Kurgan and Tsaritsa Gorge. Rodimtsev was vastly popular with his troops, and well known for his bravery.

In 1943 after the Battle of Stalingrad, General Rodimtsev Commanded the 32nd Guards Rifle Corps Which included the 13th Guards Rifle Division, the 66th Guards Rifle Division and the 6th Guards Airborne Division. The 32nd Guards Rifle Corps was an element of the 5th Guards Army, a part of the Steppe Front (which was commanded by Marshal Konev), and engaged SS Panzer divisions at the battle of Kursk.

After the war he was deputy commander of the Eastern Siberian military district, then served as a military attaché in Albania, before again serving as deputy commander of the Northern military district.