Constantin Prezan

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Constantin Prezan (January 27, 1861 Butimanu, Dâmboviţa County – August 27, 1943) was a Romanian general during World War I.

General Prezan commanded the Romanian 4th Army at the beginning of the Romanian Campaign in 1916. Prezan led the Romanian Army as it retreated into the northeastern part of Romania (Moldavia), and also in the Battle of Bucharest (November 1916). In July and August of 1917, Prezan, who was by then Chief of the General Staff (and assisted by the then-Lieutenant-Colonel Ion Antonescu) successfully stopped the German invasion led by Field Marshal August von Mackensen. After the war, Prezan was promoted to Marshal of Romania in 1930.

Documents found in military archives have brought to light Prezan's role in creating the Romanian National State. During the campaign of 1916, Prezan was rewarded with the Mihai Viteazu Order, Third Class for deeds of merit, courage, and devotion. In the summer of 1917, when he commanded the General Army Quarters, Prezan was honoured with Mihai Viteazu Order, Second Class.

Prezan led the Romanian Army in the battles of Bessarabia, Bukovina, and Transylvania. King Ferdinand awarded his outstanding service with the Mihai Viteazu Order, First Class.