Ivan Dmitrievich Pavlov was born September 8th, 1919 in Makovskiye Vyselki, Ryazan Oblast, to a peasant family. After finishing at a polytechnical college, he worked as a technician at a metallurgic plant. Pavlov served in the military during World War II, active for six years, starting in the Soviet-Finnish War; he also took part in the Battle of Stalingrad. He was awarded the medal and title of "Hero of the Soviet Union" for his part in the defense of Stalingrad.