Ivan Burmakov

Ivan Dmitrievich Burmakov was a Soviet Army lieutenant general and Hero of the Soviet Union. Born in 1899 to a Ukrainian peasant family, he joined the Red Army in 1918. He fought in the Russian Civil War and the Polish-Soviet War. After graduating from the Red Commanders School, he became an officer. Burmakov rose through the ranks during the interwar period and in August 1942 became commander of the 38th Motor Rifle Brigade and fought in the Battle of Stalingrad. At the end of the battle, his troops captured 6th Army commander Friedrich Paulus. For its actions the brigade became the 7th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade. Burmakov was sent to the Military Academy of the General Staff and graduated in May 1944. He became commander of the 31st Guards Rifle Division in July 1944. Burmakov led the division in Operation Bagration, the Gumbinnen Operation, the East Prussian Offensive and the Battle of Königsberg. For his leadership, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on 19 April 1945. Postwar, Burmakov continued to serve in the Soviet Army, leading the 29th and 21st Guards Mechanized Divisions and the 52nd Rifle Corps. After retiring in 1955, he lived in Odessa and died in 1973.

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