Emil Nikolayevich Spiridonov () (26 September 1925 – 7 February 1981) was an officer of the
Soviet Navy. He rose to the rank of admiral and was commander of the
Pacific Fleet, before his death in the
1981 Pushkin Tu-104 crash
On 7 February 1981, a Tupolev Tu-104 passenger jet crashed during take off from Pushkin Airport near Leningrad (today's Saint Petersburg), Russia, resulting in the death of all 50 people on board, including 28 high-ranking Soviet military personnel ...
, which also killed many of the Fleet's senior officers.
Born in 1925, Spiridonov's early studies were interrupted by the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, and he joined the navy. His early service was spent in
submarine
A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...
s in the Pacific Fleet, where he distinguished himself and advanced through the ranks. Transferred to the
Northern Fleet, he took command of his own boat, a
Project 629-type ballistic missile submarine
A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine capable of deploying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads. The United States Navy's hull classification symbols for ballistic missile submarines are SSB and SSBN – t ...
, before being advanced to command divisions and squadrons of submarines. Praised for his approach to training, he took courses at the
Naval Academy
A naval academy provides education for prospective naval officers.
See also
* Military academy
A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally pro ...
, and was promoted to
flag rank. Returning to the Pacific Fleet, he moved up the chain of command, garnering awards and plaudits, and eventually becoming deputy commander of the fleet. After assisting in a difficult rescue operation of a stricken submarine, he was finally appointed commander of the Pacific Fleet.
While returning to the fleet base at
Vladivostok
Vladivostok ( rus, Владивосто́к, a=Владивосток.ogg, p=vɫədʲɪvɐˈstok) is the largest city and the administrative center of Primorsky Krai, Russia. The city is located around the Zolotoy Rog, Golden Horn Bay on the Sea ...
, the transport plane he and many other of the fleet's senior officers were travelling in
crashed just after takeoff outside
Pushkin
Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin (; rus, links=no, Александр Сергеевич ПушкинIn pre-Revolutionary script, his name was written ., r=Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin, p=ɐlʲɪkˈsandr sʲɪrˈɡʲe(j)ɪvʲɪtɕ ˈpuʂkʲɪn, ...
. There were no survivors. He was buried at the
Serafimovskoe Cemetery in then-
Leningrad
Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...
, where a memorial was erected to those killed in the crash. He was honoured after his death with memorial plaques, and a street in Vladivostok and an
''Udaloy''-class destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort
larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against powerful short range attackers. They were originally developed in ...
''Admiral Spiridonov'' were named for him.
Early life
Emil Spiridonov was born on 26 September 1925 in the town of
Makaryev, ,
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...
.
He initially studied at secondary school No. 4 in
Frunze,
Kyrgyz SSR, graduating in 1940 and attending the Kyrgyz Land Management and Technical College.
His studies were interrupted by the
German invasion of the Soviet Union. With the college's closure in November 1941, Spiridonov enrolled at Kiev Naval Special School No. 5 that December, and joined the navy after graduating in September 1942. He took the preparatory course at the in
Baku
Baku (, ; az, Bakı ) is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world a ...
, and studied at the
M.V. Frunze Naval School in
Leningrad
Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...
between 1943 and 1947.
Early postings
From 1948 until 1949 Spiridonov served as a navigator aboard the submarine
''M-2'', of the 6th division of the 2nd submarine squadron of the
Pacific Fleet, then based at
Nakhodka Bay. On 19 December 1949 he was transferred to the
''Shch-125'' of the 1st submarine squadron, being promoted to senior lieutenant on 19 December 1950. On 8 January 1952 he took the Higher Special Officer Classes for submariners at
Vladivostok
Vladivostok ( rus, Владивосто́к, a=Владивосток.ogg, p=vɫədʲɪvɐˈstok) is the largest city and the administrative center of Primorsky Krai, Russia. The city is located around the Zolotoy Rog, Golden Horn Bay on the Sea ...
, graduating in October 1952.
He was then assigned to the
''Shch-22'', part of the 123rd squadron of the 40th Submarine Division of the Pacific Fleet. On 9 May 1953 he was appointed to the
''S-165'', a
Project 613-type submarine then under construction. Advanced to
captain lieutenant
Captain lieutenant or captain-lieutenant is a military rank, used in a number of navies worldwide and formerly in the British Army.
Northern Europe Denmark, Norway and Finland
The same rank is used in the navies of Denmark (), Norway () and Finl ...
on 14 September 1953 with the completion of the ''S-165'', Spiridonov was assigned to the
Northern Fleet from 25 June 1954, joining the 297th squadron of the 33rd submarine division.
Command
Impressing his commander, Spiridonov was appointed assistant commander of the ''S-165'' on 9 July, and on 13 November 1954 he became senior assistant commander on the
''S-44'', of the 96th submarine squadron. On 5 November 1956 he was promoted to
captain 3rd rank Captain 3rd rank (russian: Капитан 3-го ранга, Kapitan 3-go ranga, lit=Captain of the 3rd rank) is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist state. The rank is the lowest rank in the staff officer's career grou ...
and on 25 November given his first command, the
''S-185''. Impressing his superiors over the next two years he spent in command, he was earmarked for further promotions. On 6 September 1958 he was appointed commander of the
Project 629-type ballistic missile submarine
A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine capable of deploying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads. The United States Navy's hull classification symbols for ballistic missile submarines are SSB and SSBN – t ...
''B-41'', then under construction at
Severodvinsk.
While ''B-41'' was nearing completion, Spiridonov sailed on a long distance voyage aboard the
Project AB611-type submarine
''B-78'', serving as second in command under
Captain 2nd rank Captain 2nd rank (russian: Капитан 2-го ранга, Kapitan 2-go ranga, lit=Captain of the 2nd rank) is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist states. The rank is the middle rank in the staff officer's career gro ...
V. V. Gorontsov. During the voyage Spiridonov familiarised himself with the new type of submarines, and carried out tests of the
R-11FM ballistic missile system.
With the completion of ''B-41'', Spiridonov brought her to
Olenya Bay, where she was commissioned as part of the 140th independent squadron, and assigned the designation ''K-79''. On 7 November 1959 he was promoted to captain, 2nd rank. In January 1960 ''K-79'' was assigned to the Northern Fleet and between June and July Spiridonov took her down to the
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Morocc ...
and then returned to Olenya Bay, carrying out drills and missile exercises. He was commended for his services by the commander of the Northern Fleet, Admiral
Andrei Chabanenko
Andrei Trofimovich Chabanenko (; – 19 December 1986) was an officer of the Soviet Navy. He rose to the rank of admiral and was commander of the Northern Fleet.
Born in the Russian Empire in 1909, Chabanenko entered the navy in 1927 and a ...
, and received a personal weapon from the navy's commander-in-chief.
On 21 January 1961 he was appointed Chief of Staff of the 212th squadron of the 8th submarine division of the Northern Fleet. Shortly after his appointment, on 27 January, the
''S-80'' was lost at sea. A State Commission, headed by Marshal
Konstantin Rokossovsky, did not return any final conclusions, but still led to a shakeup of personnel.
On 28 June 1961 Spiridonov was appointed Deputy Commander of the 18th Division of the 12th submarine squadron of the Northern Fleet. The division included the latest Project 629 ballistic missile submarines.
Spiridonov took control of the training of submarine crews. Between August and December 1961 five new ships were assigned to his unit. Spiridonov personally took each one to sea. On 17 December 1962 he was appointed commander of the 211th brigade of the 4th submarine squadron. The squadron commander assessed Spiridonov as being "A tactically literate, energetic, strong-willed, disciplined, courageous, and decisive commander of the formation. Knows his assigned business well and copes with it successfully. He has extensive practical experience in the submarine service. Repeatedly undertook independent voyages on submarines. Has commanded boats of projects 613, 641, 629. A good sailor, in a difficult situation acts decisively and correctly. Hardworking."
Spiridonov was promoted to
captain 1st rank
Captain 1st rank (russian: Капитан 1-го ранга, Kapitan 1-go ranga, lit=Captain of the 1st rank) is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist states. The rank is the most senior rank in the staff officers' ca ...
on 21 February 1964, and commended by the Northern Fleet's commander, Admiral
Semyon Lobov, as "An intelligent and promising officer."
Flag rank
Spiridonov took at series of courses at the
Naval Academy
A naval academy provides education for prospective naval officers.
See also
* Military academy
A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally pro ...
from 29 September 1966 to 3 August 1967, being appointed commander of the 35th division of submarines on 31 January 1967.
This division included the new
Project 651-type submarines, armed with nuclear ballistic missiles. On 21 February he was awarded the
Order of the Red Star
The Order of the Red Star (russian: Орден Красной Звезды, Orden Krasnoy Zvezdy) was a military decoration of the Soviet Union. It was established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 6 April 193 ...
and on 19 February 1968 was advanced to rear admiral.
On 12 October 1970 he was appointed commander and member of the Military Council of the 15th submarine squadron of the
Kamchatka division of the Pacific Fleet. Promoted to vice-admiral on 2 November 1972, Spiridonov achieved good results with training his crews, and the division was recognised as the best unit of the Pacific Fleet. In his assessment of Spiridonov the commander of the Kamchatka division, Vice Admiral
V. Sidorov, wrote "In 1973, 100% success in missile firing was achieved, and 97.6% of torpedo firing. A lot of painstaking work to improve the deployment of ships and the life of personnel. Energetic and resolute admiral. Personally sails on submarines and ships of the squadron, teaching the commanders of the formations and ships practically."
On 20 October 1973 Spiridonov was appointed commander and member of the Military Council of the 2nd Submarine Flotilla of the Pacific Fleet. On 21 February 1974 he was awarded the
Order of the Red Banner
The Order of the Red Banner (russian: Орден Красного Знамени, Orden Krasnogo Znameni) was the first Soviet military decoration. The Order was established on 16 September 1918, during the Russian Civil War by decree of th ...
. He took several courses at the
Military Academy of the General Staff, and on 27 September 1974 he was appointed Deputy Commander of the Pacific Fleet.
In 1977, during his tenure as deputy commander, he took personal charge of the rescue efforts of the
Project 667B -type submarine
''K-477'', which suffered a fire while loading nuclear ballistic missiles at the dockside in Kamchatka.
Spiridonov flew from
Vladivostok
Vladivostok ( rus, Владивосто́к, a=Владивосток.ogg, p=vɫədʲɪvɐˈstok) is the largest city and the administrative center of Primorsky Krai, Russia. The city is located around the Zolotoy Rog, Golden Horn Bay on the Sea ...
to Kamchatka and took the submarine to sea. After a full day of fighting the fire, on 8 September an explosion caused the warhead of a damaged nuclear missile to be ejected from the submarine and sink in the sea. With the submarine now out of danger, Spiridonov brought her back to port and then supervised the recovery of the warhead and its disposal. For his actions he was awarded the
Medal "For Courage in a Fire".
On 21 February 1978, he was awarded the
Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" Third Class, and on 31 August 1979 he was appointed Commander of the Pacific Fleet.
This was followed with a promotion to admiral on 25 October 1979.
In 1980 he was elected a deputy of the
Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR and was a delegate to the
26th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
The 26th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (''26th Congress of the CPSU'', rus, XXVI съезд КПСС) opened on February 23, 1981, with a five-hour address by the General Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman ( ...
.
Death and legacy
In early 1981 Spiridonov and much of the Pacific Fleet's leadership attended meetings in Leningrad, before planning to return to Vladivostok on 7 February. At 18:00 local time the plane, a
Tupolev Tu-104
The Tupolev Tu-104 (NATO reporting name: Camel) is a retired twinjet, medium-range, narrow-body turbojet-powered Soviet airliner. It was the second to enter regular service, behind the British de Havilland Comet, and was the only jetliner operat ...
, took off from
Pushkin Airport
Pushkin Airport () is an airport in Leningrad Oblast, Russia located 28 km south of Saint Petersburg. It handles small airliners. It was home to 147 OVZ RZB regiment flying Mil Mi-8 helicopters and contains Ilyushin Il-18, Ilyushin Il-22, ...
, and almost immediately crashed just clear of the runway, killing all aboard.
Spiridonov was the highest ranking officer to die, along with 15 other admirals and generals, and 38 lower ranking officers.
Also killed along with Spiridonov was his wife Valentina. They were both interred with most of the other victims of the crash in the
Serafimovskoe Cemetery in Leningrad, where a memorial to the dead was erected on the orders of the Navy's Commander-in-Chief,
Sergey Gorshkov.
A memorial service is held annually on 7 February at the
St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral
St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral (Никольский морской собор, ''Nikolskiy morskoy sobor'') is a major Baroque Orthodox cathedral in the western part of Central Saint Petersburg. It has always been closely associated with the Russi ...
in St Petersburg, and on the twentieth anniversary of the crash the line “Those who died in the line of duty on 7 February 1981” and an Orthodox cross were added to the memorial stele commemorating the Pacific Navy sailors.
Over his career Spiridonov was awarded the
Order of the Red Banner
The Order of the Red Banner (russian: Орден Красного Знамени, Orden Krasnogo Znameni) was the first Soviet military decoration. The Order was established on 16 September 1918, during the Russian Civil War by decree of th ...
, two
Orders of the Red Star and the
Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" Third Class. He was honoured after his death with the naming of a street in Vladivostok and the
''Udaloy''-class destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort
larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against powerful short range attackers. They were originally developed in ...
''Admiral Spiridonov''.
Memorial plaques were placed in the Staff Building of the Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok, and in the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in St Petersburg.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spiridonov, Emil
1925 births
1981 deaths
People from Kostroma Oblast
Soviet admirals
Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner
Recipients of the Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR", 3rd class
Burials at Serafimovskoe Cemetery
N. G. Kuznetsov Naval Academy alumni
Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union alumni
Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1981
Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the Soviet Union
Recipients of the Order of the Red Star
Soviet submarine commanders