Lennart Ljung

General Karl Hilmer Lennart Ljung (13 March 1921 – 19 November 1990) was a Swedish Army officer who served as Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces from 1978 to 1986. During Ljung's eight years as Supreme Commander many events of importance for Swedish security and defense policy occurred. Sweden had five different governments under four prime ministers from different political sides. Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated, the submarine incidents culminated with the Soviet submarine U 137 running aground in Karlskrona and the decision of developing a new fighter aircraft came through.

Early life Ljung was born on 13 March 1921 in Sollefteå, Sweden, the son of captain Hilmer Ljung and his wife Greta (née Gustafsson). He passed his studentexamen in Gävle in 1941. and was assigned as a second lieutenant to the Swedish Army Signal Troops the same year.

In 1978 he was promoted to general and appointed Supreme Commander. It also consisted of renewal of the war planning, major military equipment projects, such as the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, a new kind of armed forces training and reorganization of both the leadership and the command organization. The handling of the submarine incidents and the systematic continuing submarine incursions also caused great strain on him. In 1986, Ljung left the position of Supreme Commander and retired from military service and became chief of His Majesty's Military Staff. and Ann-Marie (born 1953).

Dates of rank

Awards and decorations

Swedish 50x50px H. M. The King's Medal, 12th size gold medal worn around the neck on a chain of gold (1986)

Foreign

Honours Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences (1967)