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Arseniy GolovkoAdmiral
Date of Birth: 10.06.1906
Country:  Russia |
Content:
Arseny Golovko: A Biography
Arseny Grigoryevich Golovko was born on June 10, 1906, in the city of Prokhladny, which is now part of Kabardino-Balkaria. He joined the Navy in 1925 and completed his education at the M.V. Frunze Naval School in 1928. Golovko furthered his training at the Higher Special Courses for Fleet Command Staff in 1931 and the Naval Academy in 1938.
Early Career
During his early years of service, Golovko served on various ships in the Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Caspian Sea Fleets. By 1932, he became a flagship mine officer, chief of staff, and commander of a brigade of torpedo boats in the Far Eastern Maritime Forces (later renamed the Pacific Fleet in January 1935).
From 1937 to 1938, Golovko took part in the Spanish Civil War, fighting alongside the Spanish people in their national-revolutionary struggle. In 1938-1940, he served as the commander of a destroyer division, chief of staff of the Northern Fleet, and commander of the Caspian and later Amur military flotillas.
Commander of the Northern Fleet
From 1940 to 1946, Golovko served as the commander of the Northern Fleet, where he played a crucial role in defending the Murmansk region and the Barents Sea coast against the German fascist forces. He organized successful amphibious landings during the Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation in 1944. The Northern Fleet provided significant assistance to the 14th Army in the defeat of the enemy in the Polar region, the liberation of the Pechenga area, and Northern Norway.
Golovko was lauded for his efforts in disrupting enemy maritime transport and protecting his own sea communications. He was recognized as an energetic, initiative-driven, and resolute commander. In April 1946, he became the deputy chief of staff, and in February 1947, he was appointed as the chief of staff and deputy commander-in-chief of the Navy. From 1950 to 1952, Golovko served as the chief of the Naval General Staff and the first deputy naval minister.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1952, Golovko took command of the 4th Fleet, and in 1956, he became the commander of the Baltic Fleet. From November 1956 onwards, he served as the first deputy commander-in-chief of the Navy. After the war, Golovko made significant contributions to the development of the Navy, the improvement of combat and operational readiness, the enhancement of fleet preparedness, and the training and education of officer cadres.
Golovko was elected as a deputy of the USSR Supreme Soviet of the 2nd and 4th convocations. Throughout his career, he was awarded four Orders of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, two Orders of Ushakov (1st degree), the Order of Nakhimov (1st degree), two Orders of the Red Star, and various other medals and foreign orders.
