Zvonimir Červenko

Zvonimir Červenko (13 November 1926 - 17 February 2001) was a Croatian general and the chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia between 1995 and 1996.

Prewar life
Červenko was born in Prijepolje, in region of Sandžak, what is today Serbia. He started his military career at the Military Technical Academy in Zagreb, where he became a lecturer after 19 years.

During the Croatian Spring in the 1970s, he was a lieutenant colonel, and became involved by advocating Croatian interests. After the government crackdown, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison with rank and right to pension both withdrawn. Until 1990 he worked as bill collector for RTV Zagreb.

Croatian War of Independence
At the beginning of the Croatian War of Independence, president of the Republic of Croatia offered him the position of the minister of defence, but Červenko refused saying "I'm a soldier, not politician". He organized the defence of Zagreb, the blockade of enemy barracks, and started the process of forming 14 brigades in Zagreb.

In January 1992, Červenko became the commander of Croatian Home Guard (Domobranstvo), thus becoming deputy of chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.

The top of his military career came just before the Operation Storm, when he succeeded Janko Bobetko in the position of Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. He served as Chief of General Staff from 15 July 1995 until 16 November 1996. During his command, the Croatian Army executed the most successful operation of the war, Operation Storm. President Tuđman retired him in November 1996.

He later became a member of the Chamber of Counties of Croatian Sabor on the electoral list of Croatian Democratic Union, and from 2000 he was a member of Amnesty Commission.

Červenko died on 17 February 2001 in Zagreb. With the highest honors, he was buried in Alley of Croatian Heroes at the Mirogoj Cemetery.

Decorations

 * Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV,
 * Order of Duke Domagoj,
 * Order of Ban Jelačić,
 * Order of the Croatian Trefoil,
 * Order of the Croatian Interlace,
 * Commemorative Medal of the Homeland War,
 * Medal for Participation in Operation "Flash"
 * Medal for Participation in Operation "Summer '95"
 * Medal for Participation in Operation "Storm"