Yusif Mirzayev

Yusif Mirzayev (Yusif Vəli oğlu Mirzəyev) (23 May 1958 – 19 February 1993) - National Hero of Azerbaijan was born on May 23, 1958, in the Böyükdüz village of the Kangarli District of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

Life
He finished secondary school #1 named after I. Safarali in Nakhchivan in 1975. He started his career at Nakhchivan Communication Center in 1976. He was working and studying at Azerbaijani State Agricultural Institute (present Baku State University of Economics) in the faculty of Accounting at the same time. He was appointed as an auditor in one of the banks in Baki and graduating from the Institute in 1987. Yusif joined the National Movement in 1988. During the Black January events on the 20th of January, 1990, Russian soldiers captured and tortured him.

In Battles
He joined the army in 1991 during the Nagorno-Karabakh War. Mirzayev's first battle took place at the crossroads between Aghdara and Goranboy. He became an active fighter in a very short time and gained military knowledge as well. Thus, he was appointed as a Deputy Procurement by his commanders. He died in a battle while helping soldiers to break the siege in Aghdara region on the 19th of February, 1993.

Family
He was married and had a daughter.

Awards
He was posthumously awarded the title of the National Hero of Azerbaijan by the decree # 495 of the President of Azerbaijan Republic on the 27th of March, 1993.

He was buried in Nakhchivan city Alley of Martyrs.

One of the schools in Nakhchivan city as well as the school # 44 in Nasimi district of Baki city is named after him. There is also a monument of him in the school yard.

His close friend an Azerbaijani singer Shamistan Alizamanli dedicated his song "Brave Soldier" for his memory.