Before the war, Pavel Ivanovich Simonov worked as a bank manager in the town of Yuryevets, Ivanovo region, where he lived with his family. When the Great Patriotic War began, the family was waiting for the replenishment of the fifth child. On July 29, 1941, he was drafted by the Yuryevets RVK into the ranks of the Red Army. The time has come for severe trials. Pavel Ivanovich took part in fierce battles in the Moscow region, Belarus. The events of those heroic years are farther and farther away from us, almost no direct participants in the battles survived. To understand and present a complete picture of these events, documents come to the rescue. Extract from the award list for the 862 rifle regiment of the 197th rifle "Bryansk Red Banner" division: "I award the medal" For Military Merit "to the Sergeant Major of the 76 mm cannon battery, junior sergeant Pavel Ivanovich Simonov for uninterrupted and timely supply of the battery's fire platoons with ammunition and hot food. It had to be delivered "under hurricane fire" of the enemy and in swampy terrain, which helped in the success of the regiment's operation in the Dubrov area. " Terrain in the area of ​​Dubrov village, Svetlogorsk district, Gomel region is swampy, with bushes. In some places, there are small islands, which could accommodate up to 6 people in a chain. The 197th rifle "Bryansk Red Banner" division was advancing from the right flank, its task was to cut the "highway" Dubrava - Prityki, saddle it and prevent the enemy from transferring reserves. Much blood was shed in those fierce battles. The fighter Simonov P.I., who also distinguished himself in battles in Western Ukraine, liberating the city of Sambor, made a worthy contribution to the success of the operation. This is evidenced by the documents. Extract from the award list: “During the Second World War, Sergeant-Major Pavel Ivanovich Simonov showed himself to be a brave, demanding commander towards himself and his subordinates. In the battles for the city of Sambor on July 7, 1944, with his own crew, he suppressed 2 firing points with machine-gun fire from an 82 mm mortar, dispersed the enemy's counter-offensive and destroyed up to 12 enemy soldiers and officers. " July - August 1944 was marked by the Lvov-Sandomierz operation by the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, during which the soldier Simonov P.I. was presented to the Order of Glory III degree. Extract from the award list: “In the battles for the“ nameless ”height on August 17, 1944, the commander of the crew Simonov showed himself to be a brave commander. When the enemy launched a counterattack, Comrade Simonov, with his crew, hit the advancing German infantry and forced it to lie down. With his mortar, he destroyed the enemy firing point: a heavy machine gun and 11 Fritzes. By his actions, Comrade Simonov contributed to the fulfillment of the battle order. Worthy of being awarded the Order of Glory III Degree. Then there was the East Carpathian strategic military operation. On November 23, 1944, in the battles for the liberation of Czechoslovakia, Pavel Ivanovich Simonov was seriously wounded, which resulted in the loss of his right eye and right arm, followed by long-term treatment and rehabilitation in Georgia. The last place of service of Pavel Ivanovich Simonov - 1000 rifle regiment, 305 rifle division, 38 army, 67 rifle corps, 1st Ukrainian front. Position - squad leader of the 6th rifle company of the 2nd rifle battalion. We bow our heads before the blessed memory of our soldiers, who defended the freedom and independence of the Fatherland in fierce battles, gave us the opportunity to live and work, raise children on the most beautiful land in the world!