Units under Semyon Bogdanov's command took part in the Battle of Moscow, in the Korsun-Shevchenkovsky, Uman-Botoshany, Belarusian, Vistula-Oder, East Pomeranian and Berlin operations.

Bogdanov was born to a peasant family on 10 September 1894 in Nikolo-Khlavitsky volost of Kholmsky Uyezd, Pskov Governorate.

In the same year he was sent the study at the Northern Front School of Ensigns (praporshchiks) in Gatchina and upon graduation in May 1917 Bogdanov was appointed a platoon commander in the 2nd Reserve Infantry Regiment at Fredrikshamn in Finland.

As a platoon commander of a Russian and Finnish detachment, selected from the regiment, he fought in the suppression of a White uprising at Kuopio.

Between 10 May and 20 July, he participated in the suppression of the Tambov Rebellion as a company and battalion commander and acting chief of the course.

[2] After Operation Barbarossa began on 22 June, Bogdanov led the division as part of the 4th Army of the Western Front in fighting against the German 2nd Panzer Group in the Brest sector, attempting to limit the German advance to the line of the Berezina River.

In November, Bogdanov became commander of the 6th Mechanized Corps, which as part of the 2nd Guards Army fought in the Kotelnikovo Offensive.

Despite difficulties caused by the spring thaw, the army pursued the Axis forces and advanced 240 km, crossing the Southern Bug, Dniester, and Prut and reaching the approaches to Jassy by the end of the operation.

He received the title a second time on 4 June 1945 for his command of the army in the Vistula–Oder Offensive, the crossing of the Neisse and Oder, and advance to the Baltic coast.