Johan Laidoner

Johan Laidoner
Johan Laidoner during the Estonian War of Independence.
Born	(1884-02-12)12 February 1884 Viiratsi, Estonia
Died	13 March 1953(1953-03-13) (aged 69) Vladimir, Russia
Allegiance	Russian Empire (1901–1917)  Estonia (1918–1940)
Service/branch	Imperial Russian Army Estonian Army
Years of service	1901–1940
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel (Russia) General (Estonia)
Battles/wars	First World War Estonian War of Independence
Awards	Cross of Liberty Order of St Michael and St George

Johan Laidoner (12 February 1884 – 13 March 1953) was a seminal figure of Estonian history between the world wars. His highest position was Commander-in-chief of the Estonian Army in 1918–1920 during Estonian War of Independence, and later also during 1924–1925, and 1934–1940.

Laidoner was born in Raja farmstead near Viiratsi (site now located in Vardja village, Viiratsi Parish), Viljandi County, Governorate of Livonia, then part of the Russian Empire. As a boy he worked as a herder during summers and attended parish school during the rest of year. In 1901, he volunteered for the army. He was first stationed in Kowno, Lithuania as a member of an infantry regiment. In 1902 he entered the military academy in Vilnius, where he also met his future Polish wife, Maria. Laidoner continued his military education in 1909 at the Nikolai Military Academy in St. Petersburg.

Following his graduation from the Imperial Nicholas Military Academy, Laidoner achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Russian Army. He received seven medals before the Russian Empire dissolved.

Laidoner later returned to Estonia and took command of the First Estonian Division, part of the national independence army in the Estonian War of Independence. In 1918 he was promoted to the Commander in Chief of the Estonian Armed Forces, and subsequently to the rank of major general. As such, he established an Estonian military academy in 1919.