General Jānis BALODIS (L.k.o.k.) (20 Feb 1881 - 8 Aug 1965)
After service in the Russian Army, joined the Latvian Army on December 1, 1918 as a Captain. Deported to Siberia by the Russians in 1940, he survived the imprisonment to return to Latvia in 1956, where remained until his death.
1 Dec 1918 - 6 Mar 1919: Attached to the Independent Company
(28 Feb 1919: Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel)
6 Mar 1919 - Jul 1919: Commander, Independent Latvian Battalion (later Brigade)
(14 Mar 1919: Promoted to Colonel)
Jul 1919 - 16 Oct 1919: Commanding General, 1. Kurzeme Division, Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Front
16 Oct 1919 - 1 Apr 1921: Commander-in-Chief of the Army
(Jan 1920: Promoted to General)
Jul 1921: Retired
6 Dec 1931 - 6 Apr 1940: Minister of War
Feb 1938 - 6 Apr 1940: Deputy Minister-President
6 Apr 1940: Retired
Principal Sources:
Lāčplēša Kara Ordeņa Kavalieri, published by Latvijas Valsts Vēstures Arhīvs
Latvijas Armijas Augstākie Virsnieki, published by Latvijas Valsts Vēstures Arhīvs
Latvijas Bruņotie Spēki, by Edgars Andersons
The Armed Forces of Latvia 1918 - 1940, by Andris J. Kursietis
After service in the Russian Army, joined the Latvian Army on December 1, 1918 as a Captain. Deported to Siberia by the Russians in 1940, he survived the imprisonment to return to Latvia in 1956, where remained until his death.
1 Dec 1918 - 6 Mar 1919: Attached to the Independent Company
(28 Feb 1919: Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel)
6 Mar 1919 - Jul 1919: Commander, Independent Latvian Battalion (later Brigade)
(14 Mar 1919: Promoted to Colonel)
Jul 1919 - 16 Oct 1919: Commanding General, 1. Kurzeme Division, Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Front
16 Oct 1919 - 1 Apr 1921: Commander-in-Chief of the Army
(Jan 1920: Promoted to General)
Jul 1921: Retired
6 Dec 1931 - 6 Apr 1940: Minister of War
Feb 1938 - 6 Apr 1940: Deputy Minister-President
6 Apr 1940: Retired
Principal Sources:
Lāčplēša Kara Ordeņa Kavalieri, published by Latvijas Valsts Vēstures Arhīvs
Latvijas Armijas Augstākie Virsnieki, published by Latvijas Valsts Vēstures Arhīvs
Latvijas Bruņotie Spēki, by Edgars Andersons
The Armed Forces of Latvia 1918 - 1940, by Andris J. Kursietis
