Sagadat Nurmagsmbetov General of the Army, First Minister of Defense of the independent Republic of Kazakhstan Date of Birth: 25.05.1924 Country: Kazakhstan

Biography of Sagadat Nurmagambetov

Sagadat Nurmagambetov was a highly decorated military general and the First Minister of Defense of the independent Republic of Kazakhstan from 1992 to 1995. He was born on May 25, 1924, in the Alexeyevsky District of the Tselinograd Region (now Akkol District of the Akmola Region), Kazakhstan.

Nurmagambetov completed only seven years of schooling before being called up to the Red Army in 1942, during the Great Patriotic War. He received military training in the city of Kushka in Turkmenistan and went on to serve on the frontline until May 1945. He held various positions, including commander of a machine gun unit, commander of a machine gun company, and commander of a rifle battalion in the 1052nd Rifle Regiment of the 301st Don Order of Suvorov 2nd Class Berlin Rifle Division of the 5th Shock Army. He participated in the liberation of the Krasnodar Krai, Ukraine, Moldova, Western Belarus, and Poland.

On February 27, 1945, Nurmagambetov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (No. 5214) for his exemplary execution of combat tasks and bravery during the breakthrough of heavily fortified enemy defenses in Poland. His battalion also took part in the storming of Hitler's Reich Chancellery building in Berlin. After the war, Nurmagambetov's battalion was responsible for guarding important state facilities. In April 1945, he was recommended for the second "Golden Star" medal for his heroism and courage.

From June 1946 to November 1949, Nurmagambetov attended the M.V. Frunze Military Academy. After graduating, he served in various staff and command positions, including senior officer at the operational control department of the Turkestan Military District, commander of a motorized rifle regiment, chief of staff of a motorized rifle division, chief of the Civil Defense Staff of the Kazakh SSR, deputy commander of the troops of the Central Asian Military District, and first deputy commander of the troops of the Southern Group of Forces in Hungary. He underwent training at the General Staff Academy of the Armed Forces of the USSR twice during this time.

In 1989, after the dissolution of the military district, Nurmagambetov became the chairman of the Kazakhstan Republican Council of War, Labor, and Armed Forces Veterans. He also served as the chairman of the Committee of the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR for Veterans and Disabled Veterans of the Armed Forces. In October 1991, he was appointed Chairman of the State Defense Committee and in May 1992 became the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On May 23, 1994, he was awarded the title of "Halik Kaharmany" (People's Hero) with the "Golden Star" No. 1.

Nurmagambetov retired as an Army General in November 1995. He currently works as an advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He was elected as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of Kazakhstan from 1971 to 1994.

Sagadat Nurmagambetov is the author of several books, including "Facing the Fire," "My Frontline," and "No Silence in Memory." He is married and has a son, Talgat, who is a Major General in the reserve, and a daughter named Aisulu. Nurmagambetov resides and works in the city of Almaty.

In recognition of his contributions, the Republican School "Zhas Ulan" in Astana, Kazakhstan, has been named after General Sagadat Nurmagambetov.

Nurmagambetov has received numerous awards and honors, including the titles of Hero of the Soviet Union and National Hero of Kazakhstan. He has been decorated with orders such as the Order of Lenin, Order of the October Revolution, Order of the Red Banner, Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, two Orders of the Red Star, Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" 3rd Class, two Orders of the Labor Red Banner, and the Order "Badge of Honor." He has also been honored by countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, Czechia, and Mongolia. He is an honorary citizen of the cities of Tselinograd, Almaty, and Donetsk.