Who is Vasili Dmitrich Denisov from War and Peace and what is their importance?

Vasili Dmitrich Denisov is a highly respected military man, who is considered to be the epitome of a soldier. When his troops are ill supplies, Vasili threatens a commander, getting the needed food and a court marshall to boot. He is later wounded by a sharpshooter. In the end, he is a retired officer living on the Rostov estate.