Kucherov was born in Olshanka in what is now the Arkadaksky District of Saratov Oblast . After joining the Soviet Navy in 1922 , he advanced through the ranks and held various commands , including Chief of Staff of the Northern Fleet ( August 1940 ) , Commander of the White Sea Flotilla ( February 1943 ) , and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Soviet Navy ( 1944 – 45 ) . In this capacity he participated in the conferences at Yalta and Potsdam . After the war he commanded the Caspian Flotilla and from 1950 took up a series of teaching and administrative positions at the Military Academy . He retired in 1967 . Kucherov received several decorations , including two of the highest honors in the Soviet Navy : the Order of Nakhimov and the Order of Ushakov First Class
Potsdam
Potsdam Conference
Stepan Kucherov