President Milanović Presents Extraordinary Promotions to Defenders of Vukovar and Tells Them: Croatia has Not Forgotten You
On the occasion of the observance of the 30th anniversary of the 204th Croatian Army Brigade and the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Vukovar, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović presented at a ceremony in the Office of the President extraordinary promotions to active duty military personnel who took part in the defense of Vukovar.
For outstanding services in the Homeland War and in the defense of the Republic of Croatia, Brigadier General Željko Živanović was extraordinarily promoted to the rank of Major General in the military intelligence branch. Lieutenant Colonel Goran Serenčeš was extraordinarily promoted to the rank of Colonel in the liaison unit for outstanding services in the Homeland War and in the defense of the Republic of Croatia. Lieutenant Colonel Mile Skukan was extraordinarily promoted to the rank of military police Colonel. Major Marin Ivanković was extraordinarily promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the technical services unit. Master Sergeant Miroslav Knebl was extraordinarily promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major.
The delegation of Vukovar defenders, led by the former commander of the 204th Croatian Army Brigade, retired Colonel Branko Borković, did not include Colonel Serenčeš, who was justifiably absent because of his participation in the SHAPE NATO Allied Command Operations in Mons, Belgium.
“Heroes of Vukovar, there are a few of you. Just as there were a few of you thirty years ago. Exceptionally, so the law says, extraordinary promotions are given in exceptional circumstances, only to exceptional people. These promotions would not have been given to you, who thirty years ago were there where it was incomparably the most difficult, had Colonel Branko Borković Jastreb not proposed so. This is above all thanks to him and his initiative. The decision and gratitude were mine – from the heart,” President Milanović said in his address.
Emphasizing that the defenders of Vukovar who received promotions were there, where it was the most difficult, President Milanović concluded: “The Croatian state has not forgotten you. Admittedly, there was an incentive outside the system, but justice was served. I wish you all the best. Some of you will work for a while longer, some will probably retire in a dignified way; you will not be driven off. Thank you again for what you have done.”
On the occasion of the observance of the 30th anniversary of the 204th Croatian Army Brigade and the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Vukovar, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović also issued Decisions on bestowing decorations upon the defenders of Vukovar, which will be presented at a later date. The Order of Duke Domagoj with Ribbon was posthumously awarded to Zvonimir Bračić, Ivan Brdar and Velimir Đerek for bravery and heroism they have displayed in the Homeland War.
The following defenders of Vukovar were awarded the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski for a deed of valour in the Homeland War: Robert Alvir (missing in action), Ivica Arbanas, Sanja Arbanas, Ivica Banožić, Stanislav Bartolović (posthumously), Siniša Cvijan, Dražen Čović, Željko Delić (posthumously), Dražen Đurović, Jasna Edl-Špiljar, Anto Gašić (posthumously), Petar Gojun, Zdenko Horvat, Marin Ivanković, Ivica Jakovljević, Siniša Jakševac, Stjepan Katić (posthumously), Zlatko Kovačić, Damir Kršić, Ilija Martić, Darko Mihaljević, Zoran Milas, Suzana Pejnović, Tomislav Plavšić, Nenad Sinković (posthumously).
For extraordinary successful command of units of the Croatian Armed Forces and for extraordinary military services in their organization and development, the Order of Ban Jelačić was presented to Drago Adžaga, Ivan Anđelić, Marinko Babić, Mirko Brekalo, Krešo Brnas, Nikola Burić, Marko Cvitković, Zvonko Čukelj (posthumously), Ivan Ćurić, Vladimir Đukić (posthumously), Marko Filković, Zoran Gotal (posthumously), Zoran Gruber (posthumously), Zlatko Horvat (posthumously), Željko Jukić, Antun Jurić, Viktorin Jurić, Petar Kačić (posthumously), Franjo Kračak (posthumously), Stjepan Kulić, Marinko Leko, Siniša Mataija (posthumously), Zvonko Milas, Julije Novak, Zdenko Novak, Juraj Njavro (posthumously), Vlado Ošust, Ivan Poljak (posthumously), Drago Skoko, Zoran Šipoš (posthumously), Josip Tomašić (posthumously), Adorjan Toth (posthumously), Vladimir Urban (missing in action), Vinko Žanić and Željko Živanović.
As an honourable sign of the eternal memory of those who died for the Croatian state in war, the Order of Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan with Gilded Interlace was posthumously awarded to Mirko Vagenhofer. The Order of the Croatian Trefoil was bestowed upon Michael Geušić, Josip Kiš (posthumously) and Zvonimir Petrić for extraordinary services to the Republic of Croatia in a state of war.
Attending the ceremony alongside the President of the Republic were the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj, Head of the Office of the President of the Republic Orsat Miljenić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Croatian Veterans’ Affairs Špiro Janović, Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense and National Security Dragan Lozančić, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković and Mayor of Vukovar Ivan Penava.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta