Voijslav Tankošić

Vojislav Tankosić (, 20 September 1880 – 2 November 1915) was a Serbian military officer, vojvoda of the Serbian Chetnik Organization, major of the Serbian Army, and member of the Black Hand, who participated in the May Coup and was accused of involvement in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Overview Tankosić was born in Ruklada, in the Tamnava region near Valjevo. His family came from Bosnian Krajina. He graduated from the gymnasium and from the prestigious Military Academy.

Tankosić came to the attention of the Serbian public as a young officer when he set about assaulting an English reporter who had allegedly defamed Serbia and who passing through Belgrade; the Serbian police rescued the young Winston Churchill and sent him on his way. Tankosić's demonstrated high national consciousness gained him the trust of Milorad Gođevac and the other Chetnik leaders. He led the execution of Queen Draga's brothers, Tankosić was one of the most important Chetnik voivodes, and was an excellent shot. He participated in the victory on Čelopek near Kumanovo on April 16, 1905, part of the četa (unit) of vojvoda Savatije Milošević.

Awards The honours Tankosić received for his courage include:

Order of the Star of Karađorđe, received in 1905 Order of the Star of Karađorđe with Swords, received in 1913

Legacy The village of Tankosiq near Uroševac bears his name, as well as streets in the Vračar neighbourhood in Belgrade, the Medijana neighbourhood in Niš, and the Kisač neighbourhood in Novi Sad.