Johan Laidoner

Johan Laidoner
Laidoner during the Estonian War of Independence.
Born	(1884-02-12)12 February 1884 Vardja, Viiratsi, Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire
Died	13 March 1953(1953-03-13) (aged 69) Vladimir, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Allegiance	Russian Empire  Estonia
Service/branch	Imperial Russian Army Estonian Army
Years of service	1901–1920 1924–1925 1934–1940
Rank	Kindral (General)
Commands held	Commander‑in‑Chief of the Estonian Armed Forces
Battles/wars	World War I Estonian War of Independence
Awards	Cross of Liberty, 1st Class 1st Rank Cross of Liberty, 3rd Class 1st Rank Order of the White Star Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 1st Class Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 1st Class
Spouse(s)	Maria Kruszewska ​ (m. 1911)​
Signature

Johan Laidoner (12 February [O.S. 31 January] 1884 – 13 March 1953) was an Estonian general and statesman. He served as Commander‑in‑Chief of the Estonian Armed Forces during the 1918–1920 Estonian War of Independence and was among the most influential people in the Estonian politics between the world wars.

Born in Viiratsi, Kreis Fellin, Governorate of Livonia, Laidoner joined the Imperial Russian Army in 1901 and fought in World War I. Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, he commanded the Estonian national units of the Russian army. In 1918, the Estonian Provisional Government appointed him commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the newly independent Republic of Estonia.

After the Estonian War of Independence, he served as a member of the parliament (Riigikogu) from 1920 to 1929. He was once again appointed commander-in-chief during the 1924 Communist coup attempt, and then again from 1934 to 1940. After the Soviet occupation in 1940, he was arrested and deported to Russia, where he died in prison in 1953.