Vitebsk Secondary School No. 5 was named after Hero of the Soviet Union Grigory Bogomazov
Grigory Bogomazov was born in the village of Konovalovo, Belgorod Region (Russia). In 1938, he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School for Pilots. He was at the front from the first days of the Great Patriotic War, participating in air defense at the Moscow region airfield in Lyubertsy and defending the skies of Leningrad. In total, he conducted over 60 air battles, personally shooting down 15 enemy aircraft and four more in group sorties with comrades. By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of September 2, 1943, for exemplary fulfillment of combat missions of the command and the courage and heroism shown therein, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star Medal. He was also awarded the Order of the Red Banner, the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class, two Orders of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class, and three Orders of the Red Star.
After Victory, Grigory Ivanovich transferred to military transport aviation. In 1947, he was transferred as squadron commander to Vitebsk, where the 339th Military Transport Aviation Regiment was based. He subsequently became its commander. In the late 1960s, he retired due to health reasons. He headed the civil defense headquarters of the regional executive committee and worked as the head of the personnel department at the Krasny Oktyabr footwear factory. He was elected a member of the party committee and chairman of the main group of people's control of the enterprise. For many years, while on well-deserved retirement, he was engaged in the military-patriotic education of youth in the Vitebsk region.
In memory of a man who made a significant contribution to the fight against fascism, a memorial plaque has been installed in the regional center on Chekhov Street, where he lived. In 2018, the city widely celebrated the 100th anniversary of Grigory Bogomazov's birth, and in 2022, Secondary School No. 5 was named after him.
— It is symbolic that such a significant event took place in the Year of Historical Memory and on the eve of Constitution Day, — said the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Vladimir Terentyev. — Grigory Ivanovich is not only a Hero of the Soviet Union, who distinguished himself in battles, but also an honorary citizen of Vitebsk, who has done a lot of useful things for the city, including in terms of educating the younger generation. In particular, he has spoken to the children at this school more than once. And today, the institution should become a center of attraction for those who knew the hero and served with him in military transport aviation.
— I am proud of my grandfather — he did a lot for the country and Vitebsk. I am glad that Belarus sacredly honors the memory of the veterans of the Great Patriotic War and the fallen defenders of the Fatherland. This is especially relevant today, when different countries are trying to rewrite history, — noted Viktor Bogomazov. — I am sure that my son will also grow up to be a patriot of his country, and will proudly tell his peers about his heroic great-grandfather.
As the school principal Sergey Zhagolkin noted, the teachers and students perceived the news about naming the educational institution after the Hero of the Soviet Union Grigory Bogomazov as a great honor and responsibility. This will undoubtedly contribute to increasing the students' interest in the great past of their country.
— Grigory Ivanovich's entire post-war life was inextricably linked with Gagarin Street in Vitebsk, where our educational institution is located. At that time, the 339th Military Transport Aviation Regiment, which he commanded, was stationed in this microdistrict, and officers were frequent guests of schoolchildren, — emphasized Sergey Ivanovich. — We continue to cooperate closely with the military, including former aviators, inviting them to various events. We also have a museum room dedicated to the 27th twice Red Banner Omsk Rifle Division named after the Italian Proletariat. Soon another one will appear — dedicated to Grigory Bogomazov. In addition, we, together with the children, have already visited his grave. We will regularly take care of it in the future.
