Vasily Danilovich Sokolovsky (b. July 21, 1897, Kozliki, Poland-d. May 10, 1968, Moscow), Marshal of the Soviet Union, joined the Red Army in 1918. After the Russian Civil War, he was chief of staff for the Moscow Military District and Deputy Chief of the General Staff. In December 1941 he became chief of staff of the Western Front, and then commander of the Western Front. In April 1944 Sokolovsky was made chief of staff of the 1st Ukrainian Front, helping to plan and execute the Berlin operation. After the War he was deputy commander in chief of Soviet forces in East Germany until July 1946 when he was promoted to the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union and made commander in chief of Soviet forces in East Germany. Later in his career he served as Deputy Minister of Defense, Chief of the General Staff, and Inspector-General of the Ministry of Defense.
From the description of Sokolovskii, Vasilii Danilovich, 1897-1968 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10582972
