Milan Vukša (Vrtoče, 1903 — Sarajevo, 1980) was a prominent figure in the National Liberation Army and Partisan Detachments of Yugoslavia resistance during World War II and a highly decorated sub-colonel (Lieutenant colonel) of the Yugoslav People's Army.
Milan Vukša | |
|---|---|
 Milan Vukša official portrait | |
| Born | 23 July 1903 Vrtoče (part of Petrovac), Bosnia and Herzegovina under Austro-Hungarian rule |
| Died | 3 April 1980 (aged 76) Sarajevo, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia |
| Buried | Bare Cemetery, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | Yugoslav Army (1929–41) National Liberation Army and Partisan Detachments of Yugoslavia (1941–45) Yugoslav People's Army (1945–1975) |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 1945–1975 |
| Rank | Battalion commander (NLA) Lieutenant Colonel (JNA) |
| Commands | Third Krajina Brigade |
| War Battles | |
| Awards | |
| Children | 5 |
Personal Life
editMilan Vukša was born in 1903[1] (or possibly 1906, according to some sources)[2][3] in the village of Vrtoče, near Petrovac. He was the son of Miloš Vukša and Ruža Janjić. Raised in a rural family, he worked as a miner before the war, spending time in the Trepča Mines and in Belgian mines. He also served in the gendarmerie of the Royal Yugoslav Army of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
Vukša married twice. His first wife, Ruža, died in a traffic accident in 1966. They had four children: Vaso Vukša, Dušan Vukša, Mirjana Grandov (née Vukša) and Dušanka Birg (née Vukša). His second wife, Radojka (née Dodik) from Sanski Most, was 22 years younger. They had one daughter, Olga, who has a son named Željko Vukša-Fejzić.[4][5][6]
World War II
editFollowing the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941, Milan Vukša actively participated in the preparations for the armed uprising.[3] From the outset, he engaged in insurgent and guerrilla warfare.[7] Throughout the war, Vukša served as a member of the Third Krajina Brigade, demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities.[7] This led to his election as the first political commissar of the company, even before joining the League of Communists of Yugoslavia in 1942.[1]
During his time in the Partisan movement, Vukša participated in significant battles, including the Kozara Offensive (German: Operation West-Bosnien, Serbo-Croatian: Kozaračka ofenziva/ofanziva), Battle of the Neretva (German: Fall Weiss, Serbo-Croatian: Četvrta neprijateljska ofenziva/ofanziva), Battle of Sutjeska (German: Fall Schwarz, Serbo-Croatian: Peta neprijateljska ofanziva) and the liberation of Glamoč and Livno. He held various positions within the brigade, progressing from a regular soldier to the rank of battalion commander.[2]
Post-War Career and Legacy
editAfter the war, Milan Vukša continued his military career in the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel (Serbo-Croatian: potpukovnik), having served with distinction. Vukša receiving numerous awards for his contributions to the Partisan resistance, including the Order of the Partisan Star, Order of the Republic, the Order of Merits for the People, and the Order of Brotherhood and Unity.[8][9]
He documented his experiences during the war in the memoir collection "Petrovac in the People's Liberation War"[7] through which his legacy as a courageous fighter and dedicated leader lives on, inspiring future generations.[4]
He passed away on April 3rd 1980 and was entombed in the Bare Cemetery in Sarajevo.
References
edit- ^ a b Radonjić, Zoran (2023). "Jugoslavija, poslednji dani 1989-1992. - knjiga treća - razaranje države, stvaranje država, Službeni glasnik, Beograd, 2022". Politička revija (in 639-2/T). 77 (3): 251–255. doi:10.5937/pr77-44239. ISSN 1451-4281.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ a b Kučan, Viktor (1996). Borci Sutjeske [Combatants of Sutjeska] (in 639-2/T). Beograd: Beograd: Zavod za udžbenike i nastavna sredstva. p. 747. ISBN 86-17-04984-7.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ a b Pilipović Dajanović, Nikica (2011). Sabor u Vrtoču [Assembly in Vrtoče] (in 639-2/T) (2nd Revised ed.). Vrtoče: Grafomark Laktaši. pp. 239–240, 266–267. ISBN 978-99955-57-36-2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ a b "CIP - Каталогизација у публикацији - Народна библиотека Србије, Београд 94(497.11)"1939/1945"(047.53) KAKO se stvara(la) istorija... : lične priče uče - PDF Бесплатно скидање". docplayer.rs. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ "Željko Vukša-Fejzić za STAV: Stranka demokratske akcije nije nacionalistička stranka i uvijek je podržavala multikulturalizam". stav.ba. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ Bajić, Đuro; Ćurgus, Ljubiša; Pilipović, Nikica (1969). Treća krajiška proleterska brigada: Zbornik sjećanja (in Croatian). Vojnoizdavački zavod.
- ^ a b c Čerkez, Vladimir (1974). Petrovac u NOB [Petrovac in the People's Liberation War] (in 639-2/T). Opštinski odbor SUBNOR-a Bosanski Petrovac. pp. 302, 410–437, 554–556, 624.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ Yugoslavia (1946). Službeni list Federativne Narodne Republike Jugoslavije (in Serbian). Red. Službenog lista Federativne Republike Jugoslavije.
- ^ Yugoslavia (1947). Službeni list Federativne Narodne Republike Jugoslavije (in Serbian). Red. Službenog lista Federativne Republike Jugoslavije.