Yakov Kreyzer Hero of the Soviet Union, Army General Date of Birth: 04.11.1905

1. Personal Life and Education
2. Early Military Career
3. World War II
4. Post-war Career
5. Awards and Recognition
6. Legacy

Personal Life and Education

Yakub Grigorievich Kreizer was born on October 22, 1905, in Voronezh, Russia. He completed his military education at various institutions, including the Voronezh Infantry School (1923), the "Vystrel" courses (1931), the Advanced Training Courses for Senior Officers at the M.V. Frunze Military Academy (1941), an accelerated course at the Higher Military Academy (1942), and academic courses there (1949).

Early Military Career

Kreizer began his military career in 1923 as a commander of a rifle platoon, rising through the ranks to become a battalion commander, regimental school chief, assistant commander, and commander of a rifle regiment. In January 1939, he was appointed assistant commander of the 84th Rifle Division, and in August, he became the commander of the 172nd Rifle Division.

World War II

During World War II, Kreizer commanded troops on several fronts, including the Western, Bryansk, Stalingrad, Southern, 4th Ukrainian, Leningrad, 1st, and 2nd Baltic Fronts. For his skillful leadership and courage in the battles around Borisov and Orsha in the summer of 1941, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

He also served as commander of the 3rd Army (August-December 1941), which participated in the Smolensk Battle and the Battle of Moscow (1941-1942). Subsequently, he held various command positions, including deputy commander of the 57th Army, commander of the 1st Reserve Army, deputy commander, and commander of the 2nd Guards Army (October–November 1942 and February–July 1943).

From August 1943 until the end of the war, Kreizer commanded the 51st Army, which played significant roles in the Melitopol, Nikopol-Krivoy Rog, Crimean, Polotsk, Riga, and Memel operations. His troops distinguished themselves in the liberation of Donbas, the breakthrough of the heavily fortified enemy defenses on the Perekop Isthmus, and the capture of Melitopol, Simferopol, Sevastopol, Siauliai, and Jelgava.

Post-war Career

After the war, Kreizer commanded the 45th Army and later served as commander of the South Urals (May 1955), Transbaikal (February 1958), Ural (June 1960), and Far Eastern (July 1961) Military Districts. From 1963 to 1969, he was head of the "Vystrel" Higher Officers' Courses. In May 1969, he joined the Group of General Inspectors of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR.

Awards and Recognition

Kreizer was awarded numerous honors throughout his career, including the Hero of the Soviet Union, five Orders of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of Suvorov I and II degrees, Orders of Kutuzov I degree, Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky I degree, and various medals.

Legacy

Yakub Grigorievich Kreizer passed away at the age of 81 on October 13, 1986. He left behind a distinguished military legacy as a talented commander who led his troops to numerous victories during World War II and contributed to the defense of the Soviet Union.