Toma Dundić

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Toma Dundić (also known under his pseudonyms Ivan, Alejo, Aleksa, and, in literature, as Oleko or Red Dundich; April 13, 1896 or August 12, 1897—July 8, 1920) was a Croat communist politician, a prominent participant in Russia's October Revolution. A popular character in Russian literature (celebrated for his riding skills and courage), Dundić was the only person from former Yugoslavia to be honoured with the Order of the Red Banner.

[edit] Biography

His origin was a subject to polemic among Yugoslavs, until the matter was settled by the Great Soviet Encyclopedia (who stated he was "Croatian by nationality").

He was born in Grabovac, Dalmatia (in Austria-Hungary at the time) to a Roman Catholic family; the surname Dundić still exists in the region of his birth. He acquired his riding skills as a boy, working as a shepherd in South America (Argentina and Brazil), where he got his nickname Alejo (from the Spanish Alejandro — later rendered as Oleko in Russian and Aleksa in Serbo-Croatian).

During World War I, Dundić was drafted into the Austro-Hungarian Army. He joined the was Dundić was prisoner by Russian troops during the Battle of Lutsk, joined the Red Army after the Revolution. He subsequently played a significant role in battles of the Russian Civil War, in cavalry divisions under the leadership of the legendary commander Semyon Budyonny — who claimed that Dundić had "the strength of a lion and the soul of a child".

He died in battle around Rivne, Ukraine.