vasily stepanovich petrov (; 5 march 1922 15 april 2003) was an officer in the red army who lost both his hands during the battle for the burkin bridgehead. after becoming a double amputee he continued to serve in world war ii. for his actions in the war he was twice been awarded the title hero of the soviet union and promoted to the rank of major. despite his injuries, he went on to become a general and hold a variety of command posts.