Vasily Gladkov was born on April 10, 1898 in a peasant family. After graduation, he worked as a repair man for the railway depot of the Morozovskaya station. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 17, 1943, he was awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star Medal (#2180) for capturing the bridgehead on the Kerch Peninsula and displaying courage and heroism.