Petar Stipetić facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Petar Stipetić
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Petar Stipetić on the anniversary of the Croatian Armed Forces on 28 May 2011
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| Born | 24 October 1937 Ogulin, Sava Banate, Yugoslavia |
| Died | 14 March 2018 (aged 80) Zagreb, Croatia |
| Allegiance |  Yugoslavia (1956–1991) Croatia (1991–2003) |
| Service/ |
Yugoslav People's Army (1956–1991) Croatian Army (1991–2003) |
| Years of service | 1956–2003 |
| Rank | Major General (YPA) General of the Army (HV) |
| Commands held | Croatian Armed Forces |
| Battles/wars | Croatian War of Independence
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| Awards | Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski Order of Ban Jelačić |
Petar Stipetić (born October 24, 1937 – died March 14, 2018) was an important Croatian general. He was the top leader of the Croatian Armed Forces from 2000 to 2002.
Contents
Becoming a General
Petar Stipetić was born in a town called Ogulin. He went to elementary and high school there. In 1956, he joined the Army Military Academy. He finished his studies in 1959.
He once said he didn't plan to join the army at first. The Military Academy was the only school he could afford back then. He even thought about quitting after his first year. But he decided to stay and finish his training. He later earned the rank of general in 1989.
Role in the Croatian War of Independence
When fighting started in Croatia in September 1991, Petar Stipetić was invited to join the Croatian side. He agreed to help. He became a deputy to the Chief of General Staff. His job was to set up the front lines across the country.
He also talked with the rebel Serbs to try and find solutions. Soon, he became the commander of the Osijek Military District. Later, he led the Zagreb Military District.
Operation Storm
Stipetić played a big part in a major military action called Operation Storm in 1995. This operation helped free parts of western Slavonia. During Operation Storm, he was first in charge of Croatian forces in eastern Slavonia.
However, the Croatian Army faced problems in another area called Banija. So, President Franjo Tuđman asked Stipetić to take over command there. When he arrived, Stipetić changed the attack plans. He told his forces to go around enemy strongpoints. This new plan helped the Croatian Army break through.
After this, a part of the enemy army, the 21st Kordun Corps, surrendered. Their commander, Čedomir Bulat, knew Stipetić from their time in the Yugoslav People's Army. He greeted Stipetić when he surrendered. After the surrender, Stipetić tried to convince the fleeing Serb civilians to stay in their homes. He also allowed the defeated army officers to keep their small personal weapons.
After the War
After the war ended, Petar Stipetić was named the Chief of General Staff on March 10, 2000. He served in this important role until December 30, 2002, when he retired. In January 2018, he had a stroke. He passed away two months later in Zagreb.
Awards and Honors
Petar Stipetić received many awards for his service. On September 14, 1998, he was made an honorary citizen of his hometown, Ogulin.
| Ribbon | Decoration | |||
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Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski | |||
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Order of Ban Jelačić | |||
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Commemorative Medal of the Homeland War | |||
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Order of the Croatian Trefoil | |||
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Order of the Croatian Wattle | |||
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Commemorative Medal of the Homeland's Gratitude | |||
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