Ioannis Demestichas

Ioannis Demestichas (; 1882–1960) was a Hellenic Navy officer. He is best known for his participation in the Macedonian Struggle under the nom de guerre of Kapetan Nikiforos (Καπετάν Νικηφόρος). He held various senior commands in the Greek Navy, including thrice as Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, and also served briefly in cabinet positions.

Life

Early career: Macedonian Struggle, the Balkan Wars and aftermath Ioannis Demestichas was born in Athens on 30 November 1882. He entered the Hellenic Navy Academy on 1 September 1896, and graduated on 28 July 1900 as a Line Ensign. On 6 May 1905 he was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant. He participated in the 1906 Intercalated Games in the 400-metre course. After the failure of the coup, on 11 March he was placed on suspended duty due to his involvement in it, placed on indefinite leave on 12 September, and retired on 5 February 1934 with the rank of rear admiral in retirement.

He retired once more on 24 August 1945 as vice admiral in retirement, but was recalled between 30 August 1946 and 1 July 1947 to serve as a member of the commission on the selection of personnel for the reduced peacetime navy. On 21 January 1948 he was awarded the War Cross for his role in World War II.

He died at Marousi on 7 December 1960.

Commemoration Busts of Demestichas have been erected at Giannitsa and his family's home village of Kotronas. He is also a major character in Penelope Delta's 1937 historical novel The Secrets of the Swamp (Τα μυστικά του βάλτου), dealing with the Macedonian Struggle in the Giannitsa area.