Silvestras Žukauskas

Infobox Military Person
name= Silvestras Žukauskas


caption= General Slvestras Žukauskas wit full awards
born= 1860 December 31
died= 1937 November 26
placeofbirth= Poškiečiai-Dovainiškiai
placeofdeath= Kaunas
nickname=
allegiance=
branch= Russian Empire Army and Lithuanian Armed Forces
serviceyears= 1881–1918 (Russian Empire), 1918–1928 (Lithuania)
rank= General
unit=
commands= Supreme Commander of Lithuanian army
battles=
awards= Great cross of the Order of the Cross of Vytis (1919)
relations=
laterwork=

Silvestras Žukauskas (December 31 1860 in Poškiečiai-Dovainiškiai, near Pakruojis – November 26 1937 in Kaunas) was a general in the Russian Empire and independent Lithuania.

Biography

After graduating from the Marijampolė Gymnasium, Žukauskas joined cavalry of the Russian Empire in 1881. He studied at a military school in Vilnius. In 1898 he married German Jozephine Hasdorf and converted to Lutheranism, because this helped him pursuing his career. Žukauskas participated in Russo-Japanese War and advanced through ranks. In 1912 he was promoted to colonel. He also participated in World War I, and for the defense of Šiauliai he was awarded golden sabre, [cite web|url=http://www.kam.lt/accessibility/index.php/lt/124049/ |title=Knygos „Generolas Silvestras Žukauskas“ pristatymas |accessdate=2008-05-24 |work=Krašto apsaugos ministerija |language=Lithuanian ] and in 1916 he received Major-General rank.

Lithuanian independence wars

In 1918 Žukauskas returned to Lithuania and started organizing Lithuanian Armed Forces. Between April 26 1919 and May 27 1919 Žukauskas served as the Chief of General Staff. [cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Lietuvos Respublikos Krašto Apsaugos Ministerija | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.kam.lt/index.php/lt/94966/ | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-23 | language = ] During that time he organized defense against the Bolsheviks. On May 7 1919 he was also appointed as the Supreme Commander of Lithuanian army (served until September 24), at the time also acting as Chief of General Staff. Under Žukauskas' direct command Kurkliai–Panevėžys operation was planned. During the operation Ukmergė and Panevėžys was liberated from Bolshevik forces. After this operation Žukauskas established military Order "Už tėvynę" (For Homeland), renamed Vytis cross on February 3 1920 and Order of the Cross of Vytis on September 1 1930. At first on a field it was awarded as a ribbon, without a medal.

On May 26 – June 6 1919 Lithuanian offensive continued during the planned Kupiškis–Utena operation, and towns of Biržai, Nemunėlio Radviliškis, Utena were liberated. Bolshevik forces retreated from Kupiškis fearing encirclement. The offensive continued as Obeliai was taken. Lithuanian army stopped when it reached Daugava River, and Lithuanian army main forces took on the Bermontians invading northern Lithuania.

After short rest on February 23 1920 he was again assigned a Supreme Commander of Lithuanian army and resigned on June 14 1920. As the war with Poland erupted on October 8 1920 he was once again assigned as Supreme Commander of Lithuanian army and resigned on May 29 1921, after the fights were over.

After the fights he resigned from military service and started working as nominal executive of "American Lithuanians company", that was building car garages and gas stations, started bus transportation, initiated power plant near Šiauliai.

Starting June 5 1923 and until January 25 1928 Žukauskas served as the Supreme Commander of Lithuanian army once again.

Silvestras Žukauskas died 1937, and is buried in Kaunas Lutheran cemetery. At his coffin there was an honorary guard, held by four Lithuanian generals.

Awards

*1919 Great cross of the Order of the Cross of Vytis

References

Further reading

* Jonas Aničas, Generolas Silvestras Žukauskas (1861-1937), Lietuvos Respublikos krašto apsaugos ministerija, 2006, Vilnius, p.293, ISBN 9986-738-76-8