Nikolai Ogarkov
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Nikolai Vasilyevich Ogarkov was a prominent Soviet military personality. He was promoted to Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1977. Between 1977 and 1984, he was Chief of the General Staff of the USSR. He became widely known in the West when he became the Soviet military's spokesman following the shootdown of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 near Moneron Island in September 1983. He was dismissed as Chief of the General Staff on 6 September 1984.
Nikolai Ogarkov
Ogarkov (right) along with other Soviet officers of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany (1961)
Ogarkov (right) and Viktor Kulikov (left), following presentation of their Marshal's star (1977)
Ogarkov (left) with Defence Minister Dmitry Ustinov (center), during Exercise Zapad-81 (1981)
Marshal of the Soviet Union
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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