Vasily Afanasyevich Glazunov (Russian: Василий Афанасьевич Глазунов; – June 27, 1967) was a Soviet lieutenant general, who was the first commander of the Soviet airborne (VDV). He was twice awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union. Early life Vasily Afanasyevich Glazunov was born on 1 January 1896 in Varvarovka village, Serdobsky County, Saratov Governorate in the Russian Empire, to a family of peasants. In 1908, he graduated from third grade. Glazunov worked for the landowners until 1914. World War I In August 1915, Glazunov joined the Imperial Russian Army and became a private in the 135th Reserve Battalion in Balashov. In September, he was transferred to the 195th Infantry Regiment in Baranovichi. He fought in battles on the Southwestern Front. Glazunov became sick with Typhoid fever in December and was sent to the hospital. In February 1916, he became a squad leader in the 198th Alexander Nevsky Infantry Regiment, fighting on the Southwestern Front. Glazunov was demobilized in February 1918 as a junior noncommissioned officer. Russian Civil War In July 1918, Glazunov was drafted into the Red Army and sent to a Turkestan regiment in the 4th Army. In November 1918, he became a section leader in the 1st Samara Reserve Regiment and in February 1919 a squad leader in the Serdobsky Reserve Regiment. Fighting in the 25th Separate Rifle Battalion, Glazunov participated in the Bukhara operation. He eventually became the battalion commander. In July 1921, he became the assistant commander of the 14th Turkestan Rifle Regiment, fighting against the Basmachi movement. Interwar Glazunov was appointed commander of a battalion of the 12th Turkestan Rifle Regiment in September 1923. In October, Glazunov became ill with Malaria and was sent to the hospital. After his recovery, he became a battalion commander in the 251st Rifle Regiment of the 84th Rifle Division. In 1926, Glazunov joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. In December 1928, he was sent to the shooting tactical courses and graduated in August 1929. In December 1931, he was appointed to command the 5th Separate Territorial Rifle Battalion. In January 1933, Glazunov became the commander of the 142nd Rifle Regiment of the 48th Rifle Division in Rzhev. In July 1934, he became the assistant commander of the 168th Rifle Regiment of the 56th Rifle Division in Porkhov. In June 1937, Glazunov became assistant commander of the division and in July 1939 became the commander of the 59th