Leonardus Benjamin Moerdani
| LB Moerdani | |
|---|---|
Leonardus Benjamin Moerdani
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Benny Moerdani |
| Born |
2 October 1932 Cepu, Central Java, Dutch East Indies
|
| Died | 29 August 2004 (aged 71) Jakarta, Indonesia
|
| Buried at | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Allegiance |
Indonesia
|
| Service/branch | Indonesian Army |
| Years of service | 1945–1988 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Unit | Student Army (Tentara Pelajar) Army Commando Unit (KKAD) Army Paracommando Regiment (RPKAD) |
| Battles/wars |
Indonesian National Revolution West Irian campaign Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation Indonesian invasion of East Timor |
Leonardus Benjamin Moerdani (also publicly known as LB Moerdani or Benny Moerdani) (2 October 1932 – 29 August 2004) was the ABRI Commander from 1983 to 1988 and also served as Indonesia's Minister of Defense and Security. He is famous due to his strong stance in many decisive situations in Indonesian political and social life. He was also significant as a leader who was Catholic in a predominantly Muslim community.
Moerdani was born on 2 October 1932 at Cepu, Central Java to R.G. Moerdani Sosrodirjo, a railway worker and his Indo Eurasian wife Jeanne Roech, who was half German. Moerdani was the 3rd out of 11 children. Although a Muslim, Moerdani Sosrodirjo tolerated his wife's and in their turn, his children's Catholic faith.
After the Indonesian Declaration of Independence on 17 August 1945, Moerdani was caught up in the wave of nationalism. In October 1945, aged just 13, Moerdani took part in an assault on a Kempeitai headquarters in Solo after the Kempetai refused to surrender to the Indonesian troops. When the People's Security Army (TKR), the precursor to the ABRI was formed, Moerdani joined a Student Army (Tentara Pelajar) which came under the authority of an ABRI Brigade. From this brigade, Moerdani took part in the Indonesian National Revolution against the Netherlands, the highlight of which saw him participating in a successful general offensive on Solo.
Once Indonesia's independence was safely secured, Moerdani took the opportunity to complete his education, graduating from middle school and going on to high school; in the meantime taking a part-time job helping his uncle sell goods. In 1951, the Indonesian Government began undertaking demobilization but Moerdani's brigade was deemed to have performed well enough for its soldiers to continue serving with ABRI. Moerdani, together with his brigade enlisted with the Army Officers Education Center (P3AD) and began training in January 1951. At the same time, Moerdani also took part in the Infantry Trainers School (SPI).
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