| Blago Zadro | |
|---|---|
Bust of Blago Zadro |
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| Nickname | Šljuka |
| Born | 31 March 1944 Grude, Independent State of Croatia |
| Died | 16 October 1991 (aged 47) Borovo Naselje, Croatia |
| Buried at | Memorial Cemetery, Vukovar, Croatia |
| Allegiance | Croatia |
| Service/branch | Croatian Army |
| Years of service | 1990-1991 |
| Rank | Major general (posthumously) |
| Commands held | 3rd Btn of the 204th (Vukovar) Brigade |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Vukovar |
Blago Zadro (March 31, 1944 – October 16, 1991) was a commander of the northern part of Croatian defense forces in Vukovar (Croatia) during the Croatian War of Independence. He was killed in an attack by Serb forces in the town of Borovo Naselje.
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Zadro was born in a small village Donji Mamići[1] near Grude in Herzegovina, and his family moved to Borovo Naselje in 1954[1] where he finished school. He became active in politics during Croatia's first democratic elections in 1990; he founded branch of Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for Municipality of Vukovar[1] and became the vice president of the HDZ in Vukovar, and joined the defense corps when the war started.
He commanded the 3rd Battallion of the 204th (Vukovar) Croatian Army Brigade during Battle of Vukovar, along with two of his sons, where he led actions against the JNA and local Serb forces. Zadro's unit was assigned to defend the vital Trpinjska cesta (Trpinja road), an open road leading directly into Vukovar. Because of its importance, the road became primary target for JNA tank units attacking the city and it became known as the Tank Graveyard due to actions of Zadro's anti-tank rocket groups Yellow Ants and Turbo platoon which fought off many tank attacks, notably a single incident on 18 September when an entire battalion of about 60 tanks and armored personnel carriers was ambushed and destroyed there.
Zadro was killed by Serb forces on October 16. His body was recovered and buried by his unit. When the Serb forces surrendered the city, his body was removed and remained missing until 1998, when it was exhumed along with the bodies of 937 other victims from a mass grave in Borovo Naselje.
After his death, he was promoted posthumously to the rank of major general. Two of his sons fought with him in Vukovar; his eldest, Robert, disappeared during combat near Kupres, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
President of Sabor Vladimir Šeks stated "without heroes like Blago Zadro, there would be no free Croatia".[2] A commemoration for him is held every year on the anniversary of his death in Vukovar, attended by many former comrades and political dignitaries. The main street in Borovo Naselje and a military school in Zagreb have been named after him. A street in Grude was named after him and in his birth village Donji Mamići was placed a monument in his tribute.