Konstantin Vershinin

Chief marshal of the aviation Konstantin Andreevich Vershinin (Russian: Константин Андреевич Вершинин; 3 June 1900 – 30 December 1973) was commander of the Soviet Air Force from 1946 to 1949 and from 1957 to 1969.

Konstantin Vershinin
Born	(1900-05-21)May 21, 1900 Borkino, Russian Empire
Died	December 30, 1973(1973-12-30) (aged 73) Moscow, Soviet Union
Allegiance	Soviet Union (1919–1973)
Years of service	1919–1973
Rank	Chief marshal of the aviation
Commands held	16th Air Army Soviet Air Forces Soviet Air Defence Forces
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Hero of the Soviet Union

He was commander of the 4th Air Army in World War II, and for his actions, he was awarded the distinction of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1944. At the outbreak of the Bolshevik Revolution, he left his work in a sawmill to enter the Red Army. In 1929, he was sent to the Zhukovsky Air Force Academy located in Moscow.

In 1946 — Commander-in-chief of Air Force — Deputy Ministry of Defence of the USSR. He supervised the Air Force transition to jet era. Promoted to Marshal of Aviation (3 July 1946).

In September 1949 unexpectedly lowed in grade and appointed chief commander of Baku PVO Region. He was commander of the 14th Air Army in the Ukrainian SSR from February to September 1950.[1] From June 1953 till May 1954 - commander PVO Forces. He served as Commander of the Soviet Air Force from January 1957 to 1969 and was a Deputy Ministry of Defence of the USSR. On 8 May 1959 he was promoted to Chief Marshal of Aviation. From March 1969 he was an inspector of the Group of Inspectors General of Ministry of Defence of the USSR.

Member of KPSS from 1919. Candidate for TsK KPSS in 1952—1956. Member of TsK KPSS from 1961. Deputy of Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union II (1946–1950), IV—VII (с 1954) convocations.

Lived in Moscow. Died after a long illness in December 30, 1973. Buried in Novodevichy Cemetery.