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Cemal GurselTurkish statesman and public figure, President of the Turkish Republic (1961-1966)
Date of Birth: 13.10.1895
Country:  Turkey |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Cemal Gürsel, born in Erzurum to Ottoman officer Abidin-Bey, completed his primary education in Ordu and attended military high school in Erzincan. From school days until 1934, when surnames were introduced in Turkey, he was known as Cemal-Aga.
Military Career
In 1915, Gürsel joined the Ottoman army at the age of 20. He received training as an artillery officer at the Kuleli Military School in Istanbul. During the Gallipoli Campaign under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, he was awarded the War Medal. He later fought in Palestine and Syria, commanding the 5th Battery of the 12th Artillery Regiment. Captured by the British in September 1918, he spent three years as a prisoner of war.
Upon his release, Gürsel joined Atatürk's forces and participated in the Greco-Turkish War. He rose through the ranks, commanding a regiment and a brigade, and served as chief of a military school and corps commander. His achievements in the war against Greece earned him the Independence Medal. In 1929, he graduated from the War Academy and held staff positions. He attained the rank of colonel in 1940 and brigadier general in 1946, commanding the 65th Division. He later commanded the 12th Division and the 18th Corps. In 1957, he became an army general and commander of the 3rd Army.
In August 1958, Gürsel was appointed commander of the Turkish Land Forces. He remained apolitical but resigned in May 1960, disagreeing with Prime Minister Adnan Menderes's use of the army to suppress student protests in Ankara. His resignation was not accepted, but he was sent on leave.
Presidency
Following the military coup on May 27, 1960, Gürsel became head of state as Chairman of the National Unity Committee and Commander of the Armed Forces. He declared that Turkey would adhere to Atatürk's principles in domestic and foreign policy and reaffirmed its commitments to NATO and CENTO. Gürsel also announced plans for new general elections and a new constitution. He formed a new government on May 28, 1960.
As head of state, Gürsel initiated five-year socioeconomic development plans that helped revive the country's economy. He strengthened relations with Western Europe, the Middle East, and the Soviet Union. In 1961, he launched the development of the first Turkish automobile, Devrim, which never went into production. Due to health concerns, he resigned in March 1966, becoming a lifelong member of the Republican Senate. He died of a stroke in September 1966.
Family Life
Gürsel married Melahat Gürsel in 1927. She was the daughter of a naval officer who served as the chief engineer on the cruiser "Hamidiye." The Gürsels had two children: a son, Özdemir, and an adopted daughter, Türkan.
