Ilya Solomonovich Artischev, commander of a rifle company of the 287th rifle regiment of the 51st rifle division in Vitebsk. Graduated from the Berdichev 2nd Military infantry school in 1942, the Riga Military Infantry School in 1944 and the Moscow Officers Advanced Training Course in 1945. In 1942 he was drafted into the Red Army. During the Great Patriotic War, from February to July 1944, he fought on the 1st Baltic Front. He took part in the Vitebsk offensive operation and in the liberation of Belarus. He was wounded and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and six medals. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to I.S. Artishev on March 24, 1945 for bravery and courage displayed during the forcing of the Western Dvina.