Cevdet Sunay

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Cevdet Sunay
Cevdet Sunay

In office
March 28, 1966 – March 28, 1973
Preceded by Cemal Gürsel
Succeeded by Fahri Korutürk

Born 1899
Trabzon
Died May 22, 1982
İstanbul
Nationality Turkish
Spouse Atıfet Sunay

Cevdet Sunay (b. 1899 – d. May 22, 1982) was a Turkish army officer, political leader and the 5th president of Turkey.

He was born in 1899 in Trabzon. After attending elementary school and middle school in Erzurum, Kerkük (today in Iraq) and Edirne, he graduated from Kuleli military high school in İstanbul. During World War I, he fought in 1917 at the Palestine front and became a prisoner of war of the British in Egypt in 1918. After his release, he fought first on the southern front, then on the western front during the Turkish War of Independence.

Sunay completed his military education in 1927, and graduated from the military academy in 1930 as a staff officer. Rising through the ranks to become a general in 1949 and then a four-star general in 1959, he held important military posts. In 1960, he was appointed army chief and later joint chief of staff. On March 14, 1966, he was appointed to the senate by Cemal Gürsel under his presidential contingency.

When Gürsel's presidency was terminated due to ill health in accordance with the constitution, Cevdet Sunay was elected 5th president by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on March 28, 1966. He maintained his office despite increasing terrorist activity, student riots, and threatened coups. He served the constitutional term of seven years until March 28, 1973 and became then a permanent senator.

He was married to Atıfet in 1929. They had three children.

Cevdet Sunay died on May 22, 1982 in İstanbul. His body was moved in August 1988 to a permanent burial place in the newly built Turkish State Cemetery in Ankara.

Military offices
Preceded by
Ragıp Gümüşpala
Chief of the General Staff of Turkey
Agu 4, 1960–Mar 16, 1966
Succeeded by
Cemal Tural
Political offices
Preceded by
Cemal Gürsel
President of Turkey
Mar 28, 1966–Mar 28, 1973
Succeeded by
Fahri Korutürk