Kuleshov Vasily Illarionovich was born on August 20, 1924 in the village of Verkhniy Ikorets, Bobrovsky District, Voronezh Region. He finished four classes in 1935. During this short period of study, he received solid knowledge that was very useful to him in his life. Received a civilian specialty as a tractor driver. On September 24, 1942, he was called up for active service by the Bobrovsky Military Commissariat of the Voronezh Region and sent to the unit. He took the military oath on October 20, 1942 with the 85th rifle regiment. He was 18 at the time. He took part in battles on the Western and Belorussian fronts. Everyone believed in victory and did not step back from their faith a single step. “The time will come when our army will defeat Hitler's gang! This hour is not far away! ”- Vasily wrote in his letters home. And this hour has come. Despite defeats and heavy losses, the Red Army managed to break through the defenses of the German troops, and in April 1945, the Soviet command decided to launch an offensive on Berlin, which began on the Oder River on April 16, 1945. According to Vasily Illarionovich, the capture of Berlin was very difficult, many of his fellow soldiers died during the assault, because the Nazis fiercely resisted, not wanting to admit their defeat. But thanks to the perseverance, courage, and heroic efforts of Soviet soldiers, on May 2, 1945, the Victory Banner was hoisted on the Reichstag! I met Victory Day in Berlin. For participation in hostilities he was awarded the medal "For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945", two medals "For Courage", the medal "For the Liberation of Poland."