Retired generals of Croatian Army and Bosnia’s HVO receive decorations from president

by croatiaweek
January 16, 2021
in News

Retired generals of Croatian Army and Bosnia's HVO receive decorations from Milanović

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta

ZAGREB, 15 January (Hina) – President Zoran Milanović, the supreme commander of the Croatian Armed Forces, on Friday held a ceremony at which he presented high decorations to wartime units of the Croatian Defence Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina (HVO) and special police units of HVO and of the Croatian Army.

Milanović’s decision on decorating retired HVO officers was made public in 2020 and the ceremony to this effect was held in Knin on the occasion of Croatia’s Victory Day, celebrated on 5 August.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta

Today, a special ceremony was held in the office of Croatian President at which the high decorations were conferred upon the decorated officers, according to a press release issued by the president’s office.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta

During today’s ceremony, the decorations were bestowed on General Anton Luburić, General Stanko Sopta, General Ilija Nakić, General Mato Bilonjić and General Mijo Jelić, who received the medals on behalf of the decorated HVO units.

Also, the decorations were conferred upon Croatia’s retired high-ranking officers: Đuro Dečak, Marijan Mareković, Rahim Ademi, Luka Džanko, Vinko Vrbanac, Ante Kotromanović. On behalf of retired general Miljenko Crnjac, his son Mislav received the decoration.