ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET OF THE SOVIET UNION, HERO OF THE SOVIET UNION IVAN STEPANOVICH ISAKOV

Abstract

In the brilliant constellation of Admirals of the Fleet of the Soviet Union, the name of the
Soviet Admiral, Hero of the Soviet Union Ivan (Hovhannes) Stepanovich Isakov (Ter-
Isahakyan) has its worthy place. He was born on August 22, 1894, in the village of Hadjikend
of Getashen region of northern Artsakh. His father was Armenian, and his mother was
Swedish. After graduating from the Tiflis realschule, he continued his studies at the Petersburg
Institute of Technology and in 1914 he entered the Naval Guards School. After graduating
from the school, Isakov devoted his life to the defense of the Homeland. He actively
participated in World War I, Civil, Soviet-Finnish and Great Patriotic Wars, held the posts of
Commander of the Navy, Chief of Navy Staff, chief of the Main Maritime Staff and chief of
the Main Navy Staff of the USSR, he was awarded high management awards, and was one of
the first to receive the title of Admiral. In addition to being a talented military commander,
Isakov was a prominent scientist, writer, and teacher. He was awarded a State Prize for the
work “The Atlas of the Sea”. In 1953, Isakov visited Armenia, went to Yerevan, Echmiadzin,
Sevan, met with Martiros Saryan, Avetik Isahakyan, Victor Hambartsumian and published the
book “Armenian Navy in the Great Patriotic War”. Although on October 4, 1942 he was
injured and lost his left leg, he continued his military service after being treated. The famous
Admiral died on October 11, 1967, in Moscow and is buried in the Novodevichy Cemetery.