On November 18 President of the Republic of Lithuania HE Gitanas Nausėda promoted Chief of Defence Valdemaras Rupšys to the military rank of lieutenant general and Chief of the Defence Staff Gintautas Zenkevičius to the rank of major general for their impeccable service and strengthening the country and the Armed Forces.
According to the President, the highest military ranks bestowed on the meritorious officers of the Lithuanian Armed Forces was an extraordinary moment that summarized their military service.
“Every general is a role model to young officers who swear to serve loyally to their country and to defend the state of Lithuania at the cost of their lives if necessary. Every general is a role model to private soldiers whose lives may be determined by the right, precise and timely decisions of the military leadership. Every general is as well is a role model to all the citizens who want to fulfil their duties appropriately and to serve to their Motherland,” the Head of State said.
V. Rupšys was appointed as Chief of Defence of Lithuania in July earlier this year. Graduate of the Gen Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Baltic Defence College and the U.S. Army War College, he began service with the Lithuanian National Defence System back in 1990. The honourable and exemplary service of V. Rupšys has been recognised with the Commemorative January 13 Medal, Lithuanian Armed Forces Medal of Merit and other reputable decorations.
Chief of the Defence Staff Brigadier General G. Zenkevičius began service with the National Defence System in 1991. He graduated Kaunas Polytechnic Institute, Higher Command and Staff Course, and the Royal College of Defence Studies. His honourable and exemplary service has been recognised with the Cross of the Knight of the Order of the Cross of Vytis, Medal of the Founding Volunteers of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and other decorations.
The President wished the Generals strength, determination and the best of luck at the ceremony.
The rank of lieutenant general was bestowed on three Chiefs of Defence of Lithuania before V. Rupšys – Valdas Tutkus, Arvydas Pocius, and Jonas Vytautas Žukas.
Information credits: President’s Press Service
Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis
