Alexei Arapov

Alexei Nazarovich Arapov (14 March 1906 – 14 September 1943) was a Soviet officer, chief of staff of the 3rd Guards Airborne Division, and a Hero of the Soviet Union.

Early life
Alexei Arapov was born on 14 March 1906 in Verkh-Neyvinsky in Perm Governorate, to a working class family. He worked in Yekaterinburg as a stone carver. In 1926, he moved to Donbass, where he became a machinist. He joined the Red Army in 1928. Originally in the 13th Sapper battalion, he then commanded a machine gun platoon. In 1930, Arapov joined the Communist Party. Arapov graduated from the Ordzhonikidze Infantry School in 1931. He studied at the Frunze Military Academy.

World War II
In October 1941, Arapov fought with the Western, Bryansk and Central Fronts. During the Tula defensive operation, Arapov demonstrated good leadership in battles around Plavsk, for which he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. As the Chief of Staff of the 3rd Guards Airborne Division, he fought in the Battle of Kursk and the subsequent pursuit from Maloarkhangelsk to the Desna River. On 14 September 1943, Arapov was killed by a bomb near Bakhmach. He was posthumously awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union on 27 October 1943.

A school in Verkh-Neyvinsky is named after Arapov.