David Sarnoff

David Sarnoff
Sarnoff in 1922
Born	(1891-02-27)February 27, 1891 Uzlian, Russian Empire
Died	December 12, 1971(1971-12-12) (aged 80) New York City, U.S.
Citizenship	United States
Years active	1919–1970
Employers	Marconi Wireless Company Radio Corporation of America
Board member of	Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Spouse	Lizette Hermant ​ (m. 1917)​
Children	3, including Robert W. Sarnoff
Relatives	Eugene Lyons, Bernie Privin, Richard Baer, Bruce J. Oreck
Awards	Junior Achievement US Business Hall of Fame National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award Television Hall of Fame posthumously Radio Hall of Fame posthumously New Jersey Hall of Fame posthumously
Military career
Branch	United States Army
Service years	1941–1945
Rank	Brigadier General
Nickname	"The General"
Unit	Army Signal Corps
Conflicts	World War II
Awards	Knight of the Cross of Lorraine (France) Companion of the Resistance (France) Legion of Merit

David Sarnoff (February 27, 1891 – December 12, 1971) was an American businessman who played an important role in the American history of radio broadcasting and television. He led the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) for most of his career in various capacities from shortly after its founding in 1919 until his retirement in 1970.

He headed a conglomerate of telecommunications and media companies, including RCA and NBC, that became one of the largest in the world. Named a Reserve Brigadier General of the Signal Corps in 1945, Sarnoff thereafter insisted on being called "The General" and addressed as "General Sarnoff".