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Steponas Yuciavicius-DarasiusLithuanian military pilot, athlete
Date of Birth: 09.01.1896
Country:  Lithuania |
Content:
- Early Life and Emigration
- Military Service and World War I
- Return to Lithuania for Independence
- Work in Civil Aviation
- The Transatlantic Flight
- National Honors and Legacy
- Commemorations and Recognition
- Awards and Decorations
Stasis Darius: A Lithuanian Legend of Aviation and Independence
Stasis Darius, a Lithuanian military aviator, Olympic athlete, and independence fighter, emerged from humble beginnings to become a symbol of national heroism.
Early Life and Emigration
Born into a peasant family on January 9, 1896, Darius grew up on a farmstead in the Rossien district of the Kovno Governorate.After his father's death in 1905, his family emigrated to the United States in 1907, where he joined his elder brother.
Military Service and World War I
With the outbreak of World War I, Darius enlisted as a volunteer in the US Army, serving as a telephone operator.He fought in France, sustaining injuries that earned him the Purple Heart and Victory Medal.
Return to Lithuania for Independence
Inspired by Lithuania's struggle for independence, Darius returned to his homeland in 1920 and joined the Lithuanian Army.As part of the military intelligence branch, he received his pilot's license in 1922 and rose to the rank of Senior Lieutenant in 1924.
Work in Civil Aviation
Following a stint in the US Army's Air Corps, Darius pursued a career in civil aviation in the United States.He mastered the intricacies of piloting and gained valuable experience.
The Transatlantic Flight
In 1933, Darius and fellow aviator Steponas Darius embarked on a bold transatlantic flight aboard the "Lituanica."Aiming to unite Lithuanians worldwide, they set off from New York but tragically crashed in Poland, near the German border.
National Honors and Legacy
Darius and Girėnas became posthumous national heroes, celebrated for their unwavering determination and sacrifice.Their gravesite in Kaunas became a sacred monument, and their names adorned streets, schools, and even a stadium. The Lithuanian diaspora in Chicago erected a memorial statue in their honor.
Commemorations and Recognition
The Lithuanian government issued banknotes featuring their images, and postal stamps and coins commemorated their epic flight.Poetic tributes poured forth from Lithuanian writers, including K.D. Balmont, who penned a poem in Russian in their memory. The village where Steponas Girėnas was born was renamed in his honor.
Awards and Decorations
Purple Heart (US)Victory Medal (US)
Darius and Girėnas Medal (Lithuania)
Klaipėda Liberation Medal (Lithuania)
