Sobir Rakhimov

Sabir Umaruly Rakhimov was an Red Army Major general and Hero of the Soviet Union. Rahimov fought in World War II and commanded the 37th Guards Rifle Division from November 1944. Rahimov was killed by shrapnel from an artillery shell in Gdańsk during the East Pomeranian Offensive. During the Soviet period Rakhimov was considered national hero, as he was the first Red Army general officer from Uzbekistan. Metro stations, streets, schools and other places in Uzbekistan were named after Rakhimov. However, these were all renamed during 2010 and 2011 as part of a campaign by Islam Karimov to remove Soviet influence.