One of the most outstanding and talented military leaders of our country is Admiral Fokin. He brought order and strategy to the structure of the naval forces. His achievements and exploits during the service and during the war are an example for many starting a career in military affairs. The navy is the protection of the country from the sea, its proper organization and control of forces are the most important strategic element. Admiral Fokin understood this very well and made effective changes in the functioning and organization of naval forces. He was known as a wise, calm and simple man. The friendliness of the admiral sometimes baffled people. He memorized all the names and ranks of the people he encountered during his military service. It doesn’t matter who was in front of him - a simple sailor or a commander - Fokin Vitaly Alekseevich called everyone by name and memorized their slightest achievements. This helped him to establish good and kind relations with all the employees in the Navy. The exploits of this great manimprinted in the names of cities, streets and cruisers.
The beginning of Admiral Fokin's journey
Vitaly Alekseevich's date of birth falls on March 4 according to the old calendar of 1906. The future hero was born in a simple, working-class family. His father was a stove-maker, nothing indicated that the born boy would step onto the military career ladder. In 1922, Vitaly began his service in the navy, to which he devoted his entire life. Young Fokin graduated from the naval school and the class of navigational officers. Admiral Fokin carried out his service on the cruiser Aurora as a commander, later a navigator. The service on the cruiser was considered necessary, as it prepared the composition in the best possible way due to the versatility of the ship. “If you served on a cruiser, it means that you know the Ship Charter thoroughly,” the sailors said.
Ranks and promotions
After serving on the cruiser, Vitaly Alekseevich was transferred to a patrol ship as a commander. Further, Fokin was entrusted with the command of the destroyer division, the Northern Fleet. During the war, in 1942, under the leadership of Fokin, ground forces and northern convoys were supported. Also, with its help, landings were carried out. In the same year, the admiral was wounded and received a shell shock. Having recovered from his wounds, Vitaly Vasilievich heads the headquarters of the Caspian flotilla. Later, at the end of the war, he was transferred to the Northern Fleet as a squadron commander.
At the end of the war, he occupies mainly staff positions. Admiral rankVitaly Vasilyevich received in 1953. The USSR Navy and its main headquarters were under the experienced leadership of Fokine for several years. The Pacific Fleet came under the command of the admiral a few years later. Since 1962, he served as First Deputy Commander-in-Chief (USSR Navy) for two years. Later he ran for deputies of the Supreme Council, where he always honestly and regularly carried out the orders of voters.
Achievements during the Great Patriotic War
During his service, Vitaly Alekseevich distinguished himself with a perfectly built strategy. He proved himself to be a talented naval commander in the best possible way. In just a few months, the ships under his command successfully laid six minefields. They exterminated more than two thousand Germans, two dozen artillery batteries and several enemy ammunition depots. The admiral's quick and effective military tactics earned him many awards. During the war he was seriously injured, after which he served in the headquarters.
Admiral's awards
Vitaly Vasilyevich has earned many awards and medals in the military field. He was awarded for courage, courage and contribution to the development of the navy. His achievements in the war also did not go unnoticed. The admiral was presented to the orders:
- Lenin.
- Red Banner (four awards).
- Nakhimov (first degree).
- Ushakov (second degree).
- Red Star.
In addition to the services to his native fatherland, the admiral was nominated for international awards. There was no longer room for medals on his dress uniform. Fokin became the pride of the country and a role model.
Legendary cruiser named after Admiral Fokin
The history of the famous ship began in 1960 (the date the cruiser was laid down at the Northern Shipyard). A year later, the ship was launched. Prior to joining the Pacific Fleet (1964), the ship was called Vladivostok. After it was renamed in honor of Admiral Fokin. RRC "Admiral Fokin" kept his watch in the Pacific and Indian Oceans with the aim of friendly visits to the ports of Asia. All those present at the appearance of the cruiser in the port admired the power and military bearing of the personnel. The cruiser "Admiral Fokin" was considered a prestigious ship for service. The ship went on long voyages under the command of M. F. Pichkur, captain of the first rank.
Cruiser features
In the course of the arms race with the NATO bloc, the Soviet command decided to create a ship not only not inferior in technical characteristics to similar enemy ships, but also superior to it. Our ships were distinguished by the absence of airfields and the inability to protect themselves from the air. It was decided to create a missile cruiser - project 58. Initially, it was planned to lay more than a dozen ships, but in the end only four missile cruisers were launched. A feature of this type of ships was the hull design, which had no analogues even abroad. Project 58 cruiser was considered the mostefficient, powerful and unparalleled. The series of these ships included Grozny, Admiral Golovko, Varyag and Admiral Fokin. In our time, cruisers are no longer used, their service life is over.
Cruiser life
The ship named after Fokin was launched for the first time in 1961. Three years later, the cruiser joined the Pacific Fleet, where she served until decommissioned. He furrowed the Pacific and Indian oceans. The main task of the cruiser was the defense of the country. The ship was famous for its unmistakable hitting of the target. During the exercises, the first launched missile delivered an ultra-precise strike, hitting a hypothetical enemy target. The accuracy of missile guidance and the military bearing of the sailors on duty brought the cruiser popularity and admiration of both compatriots and neighboring countries. In 1993, the path of the great cruiser ended. He was disarmed and sent for recycling.
The last years of the Admiral's life
There are many legends and gossip in the circles of the naval forces about the death of the admiral. It is believed that the trigger for a massive heart attack was the fiasco in the transfer of fleet forces to Cuba. In 1962, an operation was planned to redeploy naval forces by breaking through submarines through US anti-submarine barriers on a narrow front. Vitaly Alekseevich was responsible for readiness and control over the operation. The transfer of forces to Cuba was not crowned with success. Fokine became the culprit for the failure and failure of the plan. The situation around the admiral has developed in the most regrettable way,she pressed on him and his reputation for two years. As a result, Vitaly Alekseevich died of a massive heart attack in 1964. His grave can be found at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
The admiral's life, not easy, but crowned with awards and recognition, will always be an example of selfless service to the Motherland for future defenders of the Fatherland. Streets and cities are named after him, the cruiser plied the expanses of the oceans after him, carrying out a difficult watch to protect his native borders, fulfilling his international duty.
