Andrija Poklepović

Andrija Poklepović (20 March 18951959) was a Croatian physician specializing in infectious diseases and a military medical officer in Split. During the Second World War he helped protect and treat persecuted individuals, including Jews and members of the resistance. For these actions he was posthumously recognized in 1996 by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations.

Early life and education Poklepović was born on 20 March 1895 in Milna on the island of Brač. He attended secondary school in Split and later studied medicine in Zagreb and Vienna. During the First World War he served in the Austro-Hungarian army and was held as a prisoner of war in Italy.

Medical career By the early 1930s Poklepović worked at the hospital in Split, where he specialized in infectious diseases and later became head of the infectious diseases department. After the liberation of Split in 1944 he helped organize the infectious diseases department of the military hospital in the city and remained its head until his death.

Activities during World War II During the Second World War Poklepović assisted members of the Yugoslav resistance and protected persecuted individuals, including Jews and prisoners held by occupying authorities. Testimony held by Yad Vashem states that Poklepović and fellow physician Dr. Mihovil Silobrčić used hospital transfers and medical care to protect detainees from deportation.

Recognition In 1996 Poklepović was posthumously recognized by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations for helping rescue Jews during the Holocaust.

Military decorations For his service in military medicine he received several Yugoslav decorations, including:

Order of Merit for the People – Third Class Order for Military Merit – Third Class