Jonas Variakojis

Jonas Variakojis (May 5, 1892 near Rinkuškiai, Lithuania – October 31, 1963 in St. Charles, Illinois, United States) was a Lithuanian army officer.

Variakojis was studying law at the University of St. Petersburg when he was mobilized into the Russian army and sent to Austrian front during World War I. In December 1918 he returned to Lithuania and joined newly organized Lithuanian army, preparing to defend Lithuania against the Red Army during the Lithuanian–Soviet War. Variakojis was ordered to organize defense of Panevėžys district. On February 7, 1919 he led the first Lithuanian battles against the Soviets near Kėdainiai. Soviet advance was stopped preventing them from capturing Kaunas, the temporary capital of Lithuania.

Variakojis and his unit, which later evolved into the 4th Infantry Regiment, continued to combat the Soviets. They were also deployed against Poland during the Polish–Lithuanian War. For his distinguished services during the Lithuanian Wars of Independence he was awarded several military orders, including the Order of the Cross of Vytis. In 1926 he retired from active military duty. Between 1928 and 1930 he briefly served of Minister of Communications and Minister of Defense. At the end of World War II he retreated to Germany and then immigrated to the Unites States, where he died in 1963.

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