Pavel Alexandrovich Bryzgalov was born on September 8, 1922, in the village of Bekeni, now part of the Kungur district of Perm Oblast, into a worker’s family. In 1940, he graduated from high school in Perm city and studied at an aeroclub. He joined the Red Army in 1941, and a year later, he graduated from the Rustavi Military Aviation Pilot School.
Distinguished Combat Record in WWII
From June 1943, Bryzgalov served in the active army. By March 1945, as Deputy Squadron Commander of the 178th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, Guards Senior Lieutenant P. A. Bryzgalov had completed 248 combat sorties. He engaged in 61 aerial battles, personally shooting down 19 enemy aircraft and destroying one on the ground during an airfield attack.
Hero of the Soviet Union and Post-War Life
On May 15, 1945, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and military valor displayed in battles against the enemy. After the war, he continued to serve in the Air Force.
In 1953, Bryzgalov graduated from the Military Air Academy. He retired from service in 1959 with the rank of Guards Lieutenant Colonel. He was decorated with the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner (twice), Alexander Nevsky, the Patriotic War 1st and 2nd degrees, the Red Star (twice), and various medals.
After his retirement, he lived in the city of Stupino, Moscow Oblast, where he worked as a senior engineer in a production association. Pavel Alexandrovich Bryzgalov passed away on April 30, 1998.