Oleg Penkovsky

Born in 1919 in Ordzhonikize, Russia, the son of a Czarist Army officer who fought against the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War.

Attended an artillery school and then entered the Red Army in 1939, seeing action one year later against Finland. Sent to Moscow where he acted as a political officer and then saw action against the Nazis in 1944 and 1945. Married the daughter of one of a Soviet General in 1945.

Returned to Moscow to attend the Frunze Military Academy, graduating in 1948, after which he was assigned to the GRU and sent to the Military-Diplomatic Academy for intelligence training. Learned English while attending Frunze, making him a valuable asset for intelligence work, but he was hindered by the fact that his father has served as an officer loyal to the czar.

Sent to Ankara in 1955 where he served as a military attaché in the Soviet Embassy. Distinguished himself as a brilliant and very meticulous agent, spying on Turkish and U.S. military installations in Turkey. Was again slighted by a superior regarding his father and is believed to have exposed that superior to members of the Turkish intelligence community.

Placed in the Dzerzhinsky Military Academy in 1958 where he was trained in rocketry and missile weaponry. Was prepared to take on a new assignment in India but was once again slighted because of his father's past. Lingering frustration began to evolve into a serious disillusionment. Began to feel that the Soviet Union and Communism under Premier Nikita Khrushchev were mostly focused amass control of Europe and much of the world. Began considering making contact with Western agents shortly thereafter.