Aliya Moldagulova

Aliya Nurmuhambetovna Moldagulova is a Soviet Hero of the Soviet Union recipient.

Biography
Moldagulova was born on October 25, 1925 in Bulak, Kazakhstan. She lost her parents during her childhood and was living with her uncle in Alma-Ata. By 1935 she moved to Leningrad where her uncle was enrolled into a Military-transport academy. In fall of 1939 she was sent to the orphanage from which she was evacuated when the war began in 1942 via Ladoga Lake. On October 1 of the same year Moldagulova got a scholarship at Rybinsk Aviatechnical School. After studying there for three months she filed a waiver to join the Red Army. In May 1943 she was enrolled into Central female school where she was trained as a sniper. In July 1943 she joined the 54th shooting brigade with her girlfriends. In January 1944 her brigade ambushed Germans at the Novosokolniki—Dno railway. Later on, she realized that the commander is missing, and assumed command. On top of her lungs she shouted: «For the Native land! Let`s go!» and the whole battalion jumped into German tranches. Aliya was hit by a land mine blast which happened during hand to hand combat, but she got only a splinter on her hand. Despite the wound, she bravely fought off the enemy officers, but she was wounded again and this time the wound was a mortal one. She died from a gunshot wound that day and was awarded Hero of the Soviet Union badge on June 4, 1944 and Order of Lenin. Her burial can be found in Monakovo, Pskov.

Memory

 * On May 9, 1995 as a part of 50th anniversary of end of World War II, Kazakhstan issued a stamp dedicated to Aliya Moldagulova.
 * In 1997 on Astana Square a monument was erected in her name.