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Jonas Zemaitis-VytautasLithuanian Brigadier General
Date of Birth: 15.03.1909
Country:  Lithuania |
Content:
- Jonis Zemaitis: Lithuanian Freedom Fighter and President
- Resistance to Soviet Occupation
- Partisan Leader
- Union of Lithuanian Freedom Fighters
- Capture and Execution
- Recognition
Jonis Zemaitis: Lithuanian Freedom Fighter and President
Early Life and Military CareerJonis Zemaitis was born into a humble family in Lithuania. After completing high school, he enrolled in the Kaunas Military School, where he trained to become an artillery officer. In 1936, he passed competitive exams and was sent to France to study at the prestigious École d'Artillerie de Fontainebleau. Upon his return in 1938, he served as a company commander in the 1st Artillery Regiment.
Resistance to Soviet Occupation
When Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, Zemaitis received orders to retreat. However, he intentionally lagged behind with a group of officers and surrendered to the Germans. Refusing to collaborate with the Nazis, he settled in Kaunas and worked as a technician. In 1944, he joined the underground Lithuanian Territorial Defense Force under General Povilas Plechavicius.
Partisan Leader
After the Red Army occupied Lithuania in 1945, Zemaitis joined the "Laska" partisan unit as chief of staff. He later commanded the "Kaban" unit and the Zebejkos Self-Defense Headquarters. In 1948, he was appointed commander of the northern Lithuanian partisan district.
Union of Lithuanian Freedom Fighters
In 1949, Zemaitis was elected president of the Council of the Union of Fighters for Liberation of Lithuania, which adopted a declaration of armed struggle for an independent Lithuania. He also became acting commander-in-chief of the defense forces, receiving the rank of general.
Capture and Execution
In 1951, Zemaitis suffered a stroke that paralyzed him. His location was betrayed in 1953, leading to his arrest by the Ministry of State Security. He was interrogated by Lavrentiy Beria in Moscow and executed in 1954.
Recognition
Despite decades of communist suppression, Zemaitis's legacy was not forgotten. In 2009, the Lithuanian parliament recognized him as the de facto president of the republic and head of the forces fighting against the Soviet occupation. Today, he remains a symbol of Lithuanian courage and resistance.
