US Army’s Most Powerful Man Receives Order of Duke in Croatia

United States Army General Martin Dempsey, who is the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was awarded the Order of Duke Trpimir with Neck Badge and Morning Star (Red kneza Trpimira s ogrlicom i Danicom) in Zagreb on Monday…

The Order of Duke Trpimir ranks fifth in the Croatian order of precedence after the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir. It is awarded to Croatian and foreign ministerial level officials and others for merit in contributing to the independence, integrity and international reputation of Croatia, the construction of Croatia, and development of relationships between Croatia and other countries.

“This order, which Croatia awards, is only given to true friends,” said Minister of Defence Ante Kotromanović during the ceremony on Monday, adding that the arrival of the American General in Croatia is a tribute to all the Croatian armed forces, especially those who gave their lives to Croatia.

Order of Duke Trpimir with Neck Badge and Morning Star

Kotromanović went on to say that the USA were always important strategic partners with Croatia in all major moments throughout history, from declaring independence at the start of the 1990’s, during the liberation of the occupied parts of the country in 1995, and finally 2009 and 2013, when Croatia joined NATO and the European Union.

“Croatia is a powerful, reliable and credible partner, and a stable platform for the rest of the region,” said Dempsey, expressing the hope that the partnership between the two nations would not only continue but also strengthen.