Jonas Kronkaitis

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Jonas Kronkaitis

Jonas Kronkaitis (born February 1, 1935 in Širvintos ) is a former general of Lithuanian descent who served in the US Army and after his return to Lithuania from 1999 to 2004 was Commander in Chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces .

Life

Jonas Kronkaitis's father was Vaclovas Kronkaitis, who was a lieutenant in the Lithuanian armed forces in the interwar period. For this reason, the family fled to Germany with the retreating German troops in 1944 and later emigrated to the USA.

Years in the USA

In 1959 he received a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Connecticut ; at the same time he received the rank of lieutenant . He was active in various infantry and cavalry units. From 1963 he dealt with the development of weapons, u. a. for helicopters. Kronkaitis also served in Vietnam . In 1968 he received an MBA from Syracuse University. He said goodbye to the reserve in 1985 as a colonel . He then worked in the arms industry.

Career in Lithuania

With his military experience and connections in western countries, Jonas Kronkaitis became a sought-after expert in Lithuania, which has been independent since 1990/91. Since 1996 he has worked in the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania . From March 1997 to 1999 he was Deputy Minister of Defense.

From July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2004, he was the successor to Jonas Andriškevičius , Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. During this employment he was promoted to major general on August 13, 2001 .

swell

predecessor Office successor
Jonas Andriškevičius Kariuomenės vadas
1999-2004 		Valdas tutkus
personal data
SURNAME Kronkaitis, Jonas
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Lithuanian-American general
DATE OF BIRTH February 1, 1935
PLACE OF BIRTH Sirvintos