Abankin, Pavel Sergeevich

Born Sept. 5 (18), 1902; died Aug. 15, 1965. Became Soviet admiral in 1951. Member of the CPSU since 1920.

Aban’kin was born in the village of Lochkovo, Riazan’ Oblast. He was graduated from the M. V. Frunze Naval School in 1927, served in the Baltic Fleet, and was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1937. Military commander of the Naval Aviation School in Eisk, Aban’kin became a member of the Military Council of the Pacific Fleet in June 1939. In July 1940 he was appointed commander of the Amur Flotilla and in July 1943, commander of the Onega Flotilla. He took over the direction of the Naval Academy in September 1944 and in April 1945 became first deputy commander-in-chief of the navy. He headed the Hydrographic Department of the navy from 1952 to 1958. Aban’kin retired in 1960. He was awarded two Orders of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Ushakov First Class, the Order of the Red Star, and various other medals.