Ivan Stepanovich Konev (December 16, 1897, Lodeino, Nikolsky Uyezd, Vologda Province, Russian Empire - May 21, 1973, Moscow, RSFSR, USSR) - Soviet commander and statesman, Marshal of the Soviet Union (1944), twice Hero of the Soviet Union (1944,1945), holder of the Order of Victory (1945). Commander-in-Chief of the United Armed Forces of the States Parties to the Warsaw Pact (1955-1960), First Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR (1956-1960), Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces (1946-1950, 1955-1956).