Zvonimir Červenko

Zvonimir Červenko (13 November 1926 – 17 February 2001) was a Croatian general and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Croatia from 1995 to 1996.

Origin Červenko's grand-grandfather was a Czech with a surname Červenka.

Croatian War of Independence At the beginning of the Croatian War of Independence, Franjo Tuđman, president of the Republic of Croatia offered him the position of the minister of defence, but Červenko refused saying "I'm a soldier, not politician". He organized the defence of Zagreb, the blockade of enemy barracks, and started the process of forming 14 brigades in Zagreb. In January 1992, Červenko became the commander of Croatian Home Guard (Domobranstvo), becoming deputy of chief of the General Staff.

The top of his military career came just before the Operation Storm, when he succeeded Janko Bobetko in the position of Chief of the General Staff. He served as Chief of General Staff from 15 July 1995 until 16 November 1996. During his command, the Croatian Army executed the most successful operation of the war, Operation Storm.

Decorations Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV, Order of Duke Domagoj, Order of Ban Jelačić, Order of the Croatian Trefoil, Order of the Croatian Interlace, Commemorative Medal of the Homeland War, Medal for Participation in Operation "Flash" Medal for Participation in Operation "Summer '95" Medal for Participation in Operation "Storm"