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Pavlos KountouriotisGreek admiral
Date of Birth: 09.04.1885
Country:  Greece |
Content:
- Biography of Pavlos Kountouriotis
- Military Career
- Later Career and Achievements
- National Hero and Political Career
Biography of Pavlos Kountouriotis
Early Life and FamilyPavlos Kountouriotis, the Greek admiral, was a renowned naval hero during the Balkan Wars and the reigns of the first and third presidents of the Second Hellenic Republic. He was born on April 9, 1855, on Hydra Island in Greece. He belonged to a prominent Arvanite family from his native island. Originally, his family name was Zervas, but it was later changed to Kountouriotis, supposedly during the period when one of Pavlos' ancestors lived in the village of Kountoura, Megarida. Many members of his family participated in the Greek War of Independence, including his grandfather Georgios Kountouriotis, who also served as the Prime Minister of Greece during the reign of King Otto. Pavlos was the son of Theodoros Kountouriotis, a shipowner and politician, and Loukia Negreponte. He was the second child out of nine, and little is known about his childhood.
Military Career
In 1875, following the family tradition of dedicating their lives to the military, Kountouriotis joined the Greek Royal Navy as an ensign. In 1886, he participated in a naval operation in Preveza as a lieutenant. During the Greco-Turkish War of 1897, Kountouriotis served as a lieutenant-commander and commanded the ship 'Alfeios'. His ship was involved in at least two Greek troop landings on the island of Crete.
Later Career and Achievements
In 1901, Pavlos, commanding the training ship 'Miaoulis', was sent to Boston. From 1908 to 1911, Kountouriotis served as an aide-de-camp to King George I, attaining the rank of captain in 1909. In June 1911, he was sent to England to take control of the newly commissioned cruiser 'Averof'. This cruiser, known for disciplinary issues, was specifically entrusted to Kountouriotis, relying on his authority. In 1912, during the First Balkan War, Kountouriotis was promoted to rear admiral. Under his command, the Aegean fleet achieved significant victories against the Turkish Navy in December 1912 (Battle of Elli) and January 1913 (Battle of Lemnos), leading to the liberation of most of the Aegean Islands.
National Hero and Political Career
Thanks to his notable victories, made possible in large part by his bold tactics, Pavlos became a national hero. He was promoted to vice admiral "for exceptional contributions during wartime." Prior to him, this rank had only been bestowed upon Constantine Kanaris among the officers in the Greek Royal Navy. Usually, only members of the Greek royal family are appointed as vice admirals. In 1916, Pavlos became a minister in the government of Stephanos Skouloudis. However, in disagreement with Greece's policy of neutrality at the beginning of World War I and the pro-German sentiment of King Constantine I, Kountouriotis followed Eleftherios Venizelos to Thessaloniki, where he was appointed Minister of the Navy in the Government of National Defense.
Later, he retired from the navy. After the death of King Alexander I in 1920, Pavlos served as regent from November 1. After the elections, he restored King Constantine to the throne. In March 1924, following the overthrow of King George II, Kountouriotis was elected as the first president of the Second Hellenic Republic. However, in protest against the dictatorship of General Theodoros Pangalos, he resigned in March 1926. He was reelected as president in May 1929 but had to leave office in December of the same year due to serious health problems. Pavlos Kountouriotis passed away on August 22, 1935, in Athens. In his honor, two destroyers, a frigate, and a light cruiser were named after him.
