Vasily Danilovich Sokolovsky was a Soviet general, military theorist, Marshal of the Soviet Union, and a commander of Red Army forces during World War II. As Georgy Zhukov's chief of staff, Sokolovsky helped plan and execute the Battle of Berlin. He also served as head of the Soviet Forces in East Germany and the Soviet Chief of the General Staff.
Vasily Sokolovsky in 1946
Sokolovsky as a cadet of the Military Academy of Moscow, 1920
Sokolovsky on a 2022 stamp of Russia
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Marshal of the Soviet Union was the second-highest military rank of the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin wore the uniform and insignia of Marshal after World War II.
Peaked cap 1945–91
The first five marshals of the Soviet Union from left to right: Tukhachevsky, Budyonny, Voroshilov, Blyukher, and Yegorov. Only Budyonny and Voroshilov would survive the Great Purge.
Image: Kliment Voroshilov
Image: Маршал Советского Союза Семён Михайлович Будённый