Peko Dapčević
Petar "Peko" Dapčević (Serbo-Croatian Cyrillic: Петар Пеко Дапчевић; 25 June 1913 – 13 February 1999) was a Yugoslav communist who fought as a volunteer in the Spanish Civil War, joined the Partisan uprising in Montenegro, and became commander of the Yugoslav 1st Proletarian Corps, 1st and 4th Armies.
Peko Dapčević | |
|---|---|
Dapčević in 1953 | |
| Birth name | Petar Dapčević |
| Nickname(s) | Peko |
| Born | 25 June 1913 Cetinje, Montenegro |
| Died | 13 February 1999 (aged 85) Belgrade, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia |
| Allegiance | International Brigades Yugoslav Partisans Yugoslav People's Army |
| Years of service | 1937–1939 1941–1955 |
| Rank | Colonel general |
| Unit | XV International Brigade 1st Proletarian Corps First Yugoslav Army |
| Battles/wars | Spanish Civil War World War II |
| Awards | Order of Freedom Order of the People's Hero Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour Order of National Liberation Order of the War Banner Order of Kutuzov, 1st class Order of Suvorov,1st class |
| Spouse(s) | Milena Dapčević |
Dapčević led the Partisan troops that, along with Soviet Red Army under General Vladimir Zhdanov, liberated Belgrade on October 20, 1944. He was the first person to be proclaimed as honorary citizen of Belgrade. He was also among the founders of FK Partizan, the football section of the Partizan Sports Society.
In 1953, Dapčević was named Chief of the Yugoslav General Staff, but was demoted as a result of being indirectly involved in the Milovan Đilas troubles with the party.