Monument to Sergey Ivanovich Gritsevets – the legendary fighter pilot and twice Hero of the Soviet Union – is located at the entrance to the 30th Anniversary of the Komsomol Park. This is an important historical and cultural landmark included in the State List of Values of the Republic of Belarus. The height of the monument, together with the pedestal, is 4 meters, and its granite surface features the emblem of the USSR, two Hero Stars, and an excerpt from the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on awarding the hero.
History of the Monument
Although the decree on the creation of the monument was signed back in 1939, due to the outbreak of World War II, its installation took place only on August 14, 1949. The original bust differed from the modern one – in 1955, it was replaced with an identical version to the one installed in Minsk on the street named after Gritsevets.
Brief Biography of Sergey Gritsevets
Sergey Ivanovich Gritsevets was born on July 6 (19), 1909, in the village of Borovtsy, which is now part of the city of Baranovichi in the Brest Region. In 1932, he began his service in aviation, demonstrating exceptional piloting skills. By 1935, he led a record-breaking flight of six I-16 fighters and later became an instructor at the Odessa Air Combat School.
Combat Feats and Awards
Gritsevets made a significant contribution to Soviet aviation victories. In 1937, he volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War, where he completed 88 combat sorties and 42 aerial battles, shooting down 7 enemy aircraft. For this, he was awarded the Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.
In 1939, he participated in combat operations on the Khalkhin Gol River against Japanese aviation, carrying out 138 combat sorties and shooting down 12 aircraft. For his outstanding feats, he was awarded the title of twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
Death and Legacy
Sergey Gritsevets died on September 16, 1939, while performing a military mission. He was buried at the Bolbasovo garrison in the Orsha District of the Vitebsk Region. His contribution to aviation and his heroism will forever remain in the memory of generations.
How to Visit the Monument?
The monument to S.I. Gritsevets is one of the important historical landmarks of Belarus. For tourists interested in aviation history and the heroic deeds of Soviet pilots, this monument is a must-visit. You can book an excursion along this route or include the monument in the itinerary of an excursion from Minsk. It is part of popular excursions around Belarus, offering an immersion into the heroic past of the country.