Since October 1936 till January 1937 Pogodin participated in the Spanish Civil War, where he succeeded during the Siege of Madrid in battle near Pozuelo de Alarcón.

After his return from Spain in 1937 Pogodin continued his service as commander of tank company in Belorussian Military District.

[1] Hero of Soviet Union, colonel Pogodin was killed in action near Perekip village, near Kharkiv at September 13, 1943, personally participating in a tank attack in crucial moment of battle.

After his death Pogodin was promoted to major general (at February 14, 1944) and awarded with the Order of the Red Banner for successful command of the vanguard of the 1st Mechanized Corps, capture of several fortified positions and personal boldness (he personally participated in several attacks and carried out a reconnaissance mission).

At first his remains were interred at the central Sobornaya Square, but in 1946 after his mother's request, they were buried on the old city cemetery.

A bas relief of Dmitry Pogodin is installed at the memorial on Victory Square in Vladimir.