Early Life and Military Beginnings
Grigory Ivanovich Bogomazov was born on January 28, 1918, in the village of Konovalovo, now Volokonovka District, Belgorod Oblast (Russia), into a peasant family. After graduating from secondary school, he worked as a master at a hosiery factory in Stalingrad. In 1938, he joined the Red Army and, in the same year, completed the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School for Pilots.
Bogomazov found himself on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War from its very first day. Until September 1941, he served with the 16th Fighter Aviation Regiment, flying the I-16. Subsequently, he defended the skies of Leningrad as part of the 158th Fighter Aviation Regiment, flying both the I-16 and “Kittyhawks.”
Combat Exploits and Hero of the Soviet Union
In April 1943, Grigory Ivanovich was transferred to the Higher Officer School of Air Combat of the Red Army Air Force. By July 1943, as Deputy Squadron Commander of the 158th Fighter Aviation Regiment (7th Fighter Aviation Corps, Country’s Air Defense Forces), Senior Lieutenant G.I. Bogomazov had completed 350 combat sorties.
He participated in 50 aerial engagements, shooting down 12 enemy aircraft personally and 4 as part of a group. By a Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on September 2, 1943, Guards Senior Lieutenant Bogomazov, Deputy Squadron Commander of the 103rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. By the end of the war, Guards Captain G.I. Bogomazov had performed approximately 450 successful combat sorties.
Post-War Career and Legacy
After the war, Grigory Ivanovich continued his service in the Air Force. In 1956, he graduated from the Military Air Academy. From 1969, Colonel G.I. Bogomazov was in the reserve. He lived in the city of Vitebsk, where he worked at a shoe factory.
He was awarded the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner, the Patriotic War 1st degree, the Patriotic War 2nd degree (twice), and the Red Star (thrice), in addition to various medals. Grigory Ivanovich Bogomazov passed away on January 16, 1994.