Nanka Serkedzhieva

Nanka Serkedzhieva (1925–2012) was a Bulgarian officer who was the second woman in Bulgaria to reach the rank of Major General. During her career in State Security, Nanka received a total of 9 awards, making her one of the most awarded female officers in Bulgaria.

Life Nanka Dincheva Serkedzhieva was born 22 September 1925 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. She attended high school in Plovdiv until 1943 when she was discharged after breaking school rules.

She joined the Bulgarian Communist Party in 1944.

In 1945, Serkedzhieva continued her education at Plovdiv University, but only briefly because she decided to drop out due to pregnancy.

In 1950 she joined the Ministry of internal affairs as a police officer and soon had been assigned to the political police. The most prestigious among her medals and awards were "Red Flag" and "Red Star", along with "Hero of Socialist Labour".

Nanka Serkedzhieva died in Sofia on 5 December 2012.

Military awards 1953 – Fight Medal 1956 – "Red Flag" Communist award 1964 – Award "9th of September 1944" 1st degree 1967 – Ministry of internal affairs medal 1st degree 1969 – Public security & service medal 1974 – Award 1st degree – Republic of Bulgaria 1975 – Award 1st degree – Republic of Bulgaria 1985 – Hero of Socialist Labour award 1986 – Award 9 September 1944 1st degree

Military ranks 1947 – Militia Lieutenant 1951 – State Security Major 1956 – State Security Lieutenant Colonel 1975– State Security Major General