100 years since the birth of Sagadat Nurmagambetov

(1924 – 2013)

May 25 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sagadat Nurmagambetov.

Sagadat Nurmagambetov was the first Minister of Defense and the first General of the army of independent Kazakhstan.

Sagadat Nurmagambetov was born in Trudovoye village of Akmola Region. He was left an orphan early. His and his sisters' parents were replaced by his elder brother Sagit, who went to the Second World War in the front ranks and soon died during the defense of the city of Pskov.

In 1943, after graduating from the Turkestan Machine Gun School, Sagadat Nurmagambetov was sent to the front. Until May 1945, he fought as the commander of a machine gun platoon, company and rifle battalion as part of the 301st Infantry Division of the 5th Shock Army. Participated in the liberation of the Krasnodar Territory, Ukraine, Moldova, Western Belarus and Poland. At the age of 20, Sagadat Nurmagambetov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. In April 1945, for his heroism and courage, he was nominated for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the second time.

Sagadat Nurmagambetov’s battalion took part in the storming of the Reich Chancellery building, and after the war, the battalion’s personnel carried out tasks to protect important objects of national significance.

In October 1991, by Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sagadat Nurmagambetov was appointed Chairman of the State Defense Committee, and in May 1992 - the first Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan. In 1994, by Decree of the President, he was awarded the highest title in our country - “Halyk Kaharmany” (“People’s Hero”) with the presentation of the “Gold Star”. Sagadat Nurmagambetov played a vital role in the creation and development of the armed forces of Kazakhstan.

Sagadat Nurmagambetov is the author of the memoir books: “Facing the Fire”, “My Frontline”, “From the Fiery Years to the Sovereign Army”, “And there is no silence in memory”.

The Kazakhs are proud of their hero. Today, streets in the cities of Kazakhstan and military educational institutions are named after him, monuments, memorial plaques and museums have been opened. A documentary film “Sagadat Nurmagambetov. The last interview” was made about him at the national film studio “Kazakhfilm”, which received prizes at various international film festivals.