Soeroto Koento

Lieutenant Colonel Soeroto Koento (born 1921 or 1922) was an Indonesian military officer who got involved in the Indonesian National Revolution. He was declared missing on November 27, 1946.

Early life and education Koento was born in 1921 or 1922. He received his education at AMS-B. During the Japanese occupation, he was a medical student. However, he did not finish his studies because he refused to have his hair shaved. He then joined the Islamic High School youth group.

1945–1946 On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies. Koento managed to obtain the news from Allied radio by breaking the radio seal. He spread the news to his colleagues at the PETA headquarters, Budi Kemuliaan Dormitory in Jakarta. From the news, the PETA officers asked four people, including Koento, to meet Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta. The four young men then met them and urged them to proclaim independence immediately.

On an unknown date, Koento moved to Cikampek and was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Cikampek V Regiment. As chief, he was tasked with overseeing the train traffic carrying prisoners. In 1946, he replaced Moe'min as Commander of the Cikampek V Regiment, Brigade III, Siliwangi Division. As commander, he was assigned to be the Indonesian delegate in the negotiations with the Netherlands in Bekasi on November 29, 1946.

Rumors emerged that LRDR was involved in Koento's disappearance for two reasons: a territorial conflict between LRDR and Koento and LRDR's disagreement with the negotiations with the Allies.

Award To commemorate Koento's services, his name was immortalized on a street name in Karawang and a monument was erected at the exact spot where he disappeared.