Manolis Bikakis
Sergeant Manolis Bikakis | |
---|---|
Native name | Μανώλης Ιωάννης Μπικάκης |
Birth name | Manolis Ioannis Bikakis |
Born | Amygdalos, Crete, Kingdom of Greece | March 10, 1954
Died | October 22, 1994 Greek National Road 8a, Greece | (aged 40)
Buried | |
Allegiance | Greece |
Service/ | Hellenic Army |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit | Alpha Raider Squadron |
Battles/wars | Turkish Invasion of Cyprus |
Other work | Construction worker |
Manolis Bikakis (Greek: Μανώλης Μπικάκης; March 10, 1954 – October 22, 1994) was a Greek commando during the Turkish invasion of 1974.[1][2]
Biography
Manolis Ioannis Bikakis was born on 10 March 1954 in Amygdalos, Heraklion, Crete. He completed primary school in the village of Stoli in Heraklion. After fulfilling his military service, he worked as a construction worker. He was married with two children when he had died on 22 October 1994.
Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
Bikakis served with the Greek Alpha Raider Squadron which was secretly airlifted to Cyprus with Operation Niki during the night of 21st July 1974 and in the early morning of 22nd. The Alpha Raider Squadron had the objective to reinforce the ELDYK units defending the island and was assigned to the airport of Nicosia. During the second phase of invasion launched on August 14, 1974, the Squadron was dispersed confronting the Turkish soldiers in the area of Ayios Dhometios. Bikakis had been ordered to provide anti-tank cover with a 90-mm M67 recoilless antitank rifle. During the clashes, he was separated from his comrades who had presumed him dead. Repeatedly changing his position, Bikakis opened fire towards the M48A2 battle tanks with his M67 and fired his last two rounds at a building.[3][1]
Aftermath
Despite the fact that his commander recommended him for a Medal for Gallantry, for political reasons Bikakis did not receive any honors nor was his courage publicly recognized whilst he was alive.
Bikakis died in a car accident in 1994, while driving on the Athens-Patra National Highway.
He was officially honored posthumously in 2015, more than 40 years after his actions.
References
- Articles containing Greek-language text
- Articles lacking reliable references from June 2024
- All articles lacking reliable references
- 1954 births
- 1994 deaths
- 20th-century Greek people
- Greek military personnel of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
- 1974 in Cyprus
- People from Heraklion (regional unit)
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- Greek military personnel stubs