Najafgulu Rafiyev

Najafgulu Radzhabali oglu Rafiyev (Azerbaijani: Nəcəfqulu Rəcəbəli oğlu Rəfiyev; 22 March 1915 – 24 December 1970) was an Azerbaijani Soviet Army major and a Hero of the Soviet Union. Rafiyev was awarded the title for the leadership of his tank platoon during Operation Bagration. During the battle, his platoon cut of the German escape route after crossing the Ptsich and moving across the Bobruisk–Glusk highway. The platoon subsequently helped capture Baranovichi. Postwar, Rafiyev continued to serve in the army and retired in 1956. He lived in Baku.

Early life Rafiyev was born on 22 March 1915 in Ordubad to a working-class family. After nine years of studying at the sericulture courses in Tbilisi, he returned to Ordubad and worked as a senior inspector at the cocoon-seed station. He moved to Baku in 1931. Rafiyev graduated from trade school and then railway technical school. In 1935, he was drafted into the Red Army and sent to the armored forces. He graduated from the Leningrad Higher Armored School in 1941. On 27 September, Rafiyev received the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his leadership.

Postwar In 1945, Rafiyev graduated from the Higher School of Armored Officers. In 1951, he graduated from the Higher School of Self-Propelled Artillery Officers. He became a military commissar in the Julfa District. He retired in 1956 with the rank of major and later lived and worked in Baku. In 1969, he became an honorary citizen of Glusk. Rafiyev died on 24 December 1970 and was buried in the Alley of Honor.

Legacy Streets in Baku, Ordubad and Minsk are named for Rafiyev. A bust of Rafiyev was constructed in Ordubad.