Ioannis Velissariou
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ήρωας των Ηρώων
Black Rider
Μαύρος Καβαλάρης
Ploiești, United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (now Romania)
Gradevo, Tsardom of Bulgaria
Major Ioannis Velissariou | |
|---|---|
 Velissariou in uniform. | |
| Native name | Ιωάννης Βελισσαρίου |
| Nickname(s) | Hero of the Heroes Ήρωας των Ηρώων Black Rider Μαύρος Καβαλάρης |
| Born | 26 November 1861[1] Ploiești, United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (now Romania) |
| Died | 13 July 1913 Gradevo, Tsardom of Bulgaria |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Greece |
| Service |  Hellenic Army |
| Years of service | 1887–1913 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Commands | 4th Infantry Regiment
|
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards |  Order of the Redeemer |
Ioannis Velissariou (Greek: Ιωάννης Βελισσαρίου, 26 November 1861 – 13 July 1913) was a Hellenic Army officer and hero of the Balkan Wars. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in the military history of modern Greece. He had a decisive role in the Battle of Bizani during the First Balkan War (1912–1913), forcing the Ottoman Army to surrender unconditionally.[2]
Velissariou was born in Ploiești, United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, to Greek parents from Evia. He spent much of his boyhood in Ploiești. At the age of 19 he joined the Hellenic Army as a volunteer, while in 1887 he was promoted to Infantry Second Lieutenant. He acquired his first combat experience during the Greco-Turkish War of 1897, where he distinguished himself at the battles of Melouna and Derven-Fourkas, covering the Greek positions. In the following years he was posted as gendarmerie commander in the island of Skopelos and in 1909 he participated in the Goudi military coup.[3]
