Gunnar Eklund

Lieutenant General Carl Gunnar Eklund (21 March 1920 – 11 January 2010) was a senior Swedish Coastal Artillery officer. Eklund's military journey began in 1941 when he became a second lieutenant in the Gotland Coastal Artillery Corps. Over the years, he steadily climbed the ranks, demonstrating a strong interest in technology. He attended the Royal Swedish Naval Staff College and later became a captain. His service included teaching roles at military colleges, and he attained the rank of major in 1957. Eklund also held significant positions, including heading the Defence Staff's Research Department and serving as a commanding officer in various coastal artillery units. His military career culminated in his role as Chief of the Defence Staff and as a military commander.

Apart from his military service, Eklund was actively involved in various organizations, including shooting associations and editorial roles in military journals. He was part of the Swedish delegation in the Disarmament Conference in Geneva, served as chairman of the Swedish Military Sports Association, and held leadership roles in esteemed military and defense-related associations. Even after retirement, he continued his involvement in officer associations and local politics in Danderyd from 1983 to 1988.

Early life Eklund was born on 21 March 1920 in Stockholm, the son of lieutenant Carl Eklund and his wife Sally (née Karlsson). As a child in a non-commissioned officer family in the Coastal Artillery, he moved between different garrisons from an early age, but he passed studentexamen in Stockholm in 1938.

Career Military career Eklund became second lieutenant in the Gotland Coastal Artillery Corps (KA 3) in 1941 and during his first years, he served in units with high preparedness in Stockholm's outer archipelago and passed its staff and artillery course from 1947 to 1949 and was promoted to captain in 1948. He served in the Defence Staff and was teacher at the Royal Swedish Naval Staff College from 1949 to 1954 as well as served as acting teacher at the Swedish National Defence College from 1952 to 1954. Eklund was Chief of the Defence Staff from 1 October 1972 to 30 September 1976 and then military commander of the Eastern Military District (Milo Ö) as well as Commandant General in Stockholm from 1 October 1976 to 1982 when he retired from active service.

Other work Eklund was a member of Gotland's Coastal Artillery Corps' shooting association from 1942, member of the board and leader of the pistol shooting section leader, and member of the Vaxholm Coastal Artillery Regiment's shooting association and the Royal Swedish Naval Academy's shooting association.

Death Eklund died on 11 January 2010 in Danderyd and the funeral service took place in Danderyd Church on 12 February 2010.

Dates of rank 1941 – Second lieutenant 1943 – Lieutenant 1948 – Captain 1957 – Major 1960 – Lieutenant colonel 1962 – Colonel 1966 – Senior colonel 1970 – Major general 1 October 1972 – Lieutenant general

Awards and decorations

Swedish

Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences Commemorative Medal

Foreign