Ioan Rășcanu

Ioan Rășcanu ( 1878 February 25, 1952) was a Romanian general during World War I. He held the post of Minister of War from September 27, 1919 to December 16, 1921. After entering politics, he was elected deputy in Parliament, and served as Mayor of Vaslui (1938–1942) and Bucharest (1942–1944). Arrested in 1947 by the early communist regime, he died several years later at Sighet Prison.

Early life He was born in 1878 in Cahul, in south-western Bessarabia (now in Moldova), the son of Elefterie and Elena Rășcanu. Growing up, he attended this school, where he befriended his classmate, Gheorghe Mironescu, who later became Prime Minister.

After graduating the High School for Sons of Military in Iași, Rășcanu went to Bucharest in July 1891, where he enlisted in the School for Artillery and Engineering Officers, graduating in July 1893 with the rank of second lieutenant. From 1910 to 1912 he served on the General Staff of the Romanian Army. He was awarded in 1909 the Order of the Crown, Commander rank, and in 1912 the Order of the Star of Romania, Officer class. In 1913 he participated in the Second Balkan War, and was decorated with the . He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1914 and became colonel in April 1916. In April 1921 he was promoted to major general, after which he retired in 1922, and was put in reserve.

Rășcanu returned to Vaslui, where he became a leading member of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the People's Party, led by Averescu. He was elected to the Chamber of Deputies at the parliamentary elections of 1920, 1926, 1928, and 1931.

From 1938 to December 1942 he was Mayor of Vaslui. From November 15, 1942 to King Michael's Coup of August 23, 1944, he was Mayor of Bucharest. In December 1942 he was promoted to lieutenant general (Reserve),

Last years

In February 1945 he permanently retired from the Army. In May 1947 he was arrested by the Communist authorities and interrogated at the headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Rășcanu was sent to Sighet Prison, where he died in February 1952, after a harsh detention regime.