Belyshev, Aleksandr

Born July 25 (Aug. 6), 1893, in the village of Kletnevo, Vladimir Province. Participant in the October Armed Uprising in Petrograd. Member of the CPSU since 1917. Born into a shoemaker’s family.

Beginning in 1912 Belyshev worked as a lathe operator in a textile factory in the city of Nerekhta. In 1913, Belyshev was called up for military service in the Baltic fleet, and he worked as a mechanic on the cruiser Aurora. In 1917 he was elected chairman of the ship’s committee and served as representative from the cruiser to the Central Baltic Committee; on Oct. 24 (Nov. 6) the Petrograd revolutionary military soviet appointed Belyshev commissar of the Aurora. During the days ’ of the October Armed Uprising, Belyshev, on orders from the revolutionary military soviet, ensured the cruiser’s passage to the Nikolaev Bridge in order to support the insurgents. During the years 1918–29, Belyshev was employed as a metalworker and mechanic. Beginning in 1929 he was engaged in managerial work. In 1935 he graduated from the Leningrad Industrial Academy. Since 1954 Belyshev has been the recipient of a special pension. He has been awarded two Orders of Lenin, as well as medals.