Park of the Greats

VOJVODA STEPAN STEPANOVIĆ

(1856-1929)

"I sprouted from the people; they made me what I am;
I must obey their will and serve them until my last day".

Stepan Stepanović

Stepan Stepanović was a Serbian and Yugoslav vojvoda (general, duke) and the commander of the Second Army of the Kingdom of Serbia during the First World War.

Stepan Stepanović was born on March 11, 1856, in the village of Kumodraž near Belgrade. His father was Ivan Stepanović and his mother was Radojka (born Nikolić). He was named after his grandfather Stepan, hence his full name Stepan Stepanović. He had two daughters, Milica and Danica, with his wife Jelena. He completed a three-year primary school in Kumodraž and attended high school in the Kapetan-Mišin building in Belgrade. Stepan enrolled in the 11th class of the Artillery School.

During the First Serbian-Turkish War (1876–1877), serving in the headquarters of the Šumadija Division as a corporal, Stepan Stepanović was responsible for delivering orders as an ordnance officer. Fighting shoulder to shoulder with other soldiers, he was promoted to the rank of sub-lieutenant in December 1876. During the Second Serbian-Turkish War (1877–1878), he played a significant role in the capture of Pirot and was awarded the Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, 3rd class with swords. In the Serbian-Bulgarian War of 1885, he participated in the only major Serbian success during the Battle of Slivnica. After the war, as a colonel and commander of an infantry brigade in the Timok Division, Stepanović was known for the discipline and diligence that he instilled among the soldiers. "He performs his duties diligently. He is strict and just towards the younger ones, friendly towards his peers, and respectful and very polite towards the elders". A retired general described Stepa in Požega's barracks with the words: "Yes, he demanded a lot from us, but he gave everything. He cared for and protected the soldiers, even though he chased them like enemies. We highly appreciated and respected him, and we loved to learn from him, but we were still eagerly waiting for his year of command to end and be transferred".

In the First Balkan War (1912–1913), he proved himself in the siege of Edirne (Adrianople) when he was sent as assistance to Bulgaria. The commander of the Edirne garrison, Şükrü Pasha, wanted to negotiate the surrender of Edirne with Stepanović, but he declined, as he was not authorized to do so. In the Second Balkan War of 1913, he successfully held his defensive positions despite fierce Bulgarian attacks.

In the First World War, for his victorious role in the Battle of Cer, Stepan Stepanović was promoted to the rank of vojvoda on August 20, 1914, the highest possible rank in the Serbian army. After Bulgaria joined the Central Powers in 1915, Stepanović was tasked with holding the Bulgarian border with the Second Army and the weakened Third Army.

On November 17, 1918, when Stepanović entered Sarajevo, a grand reception was held for him. The hosts took the vojvoda to the palace reserved for him, where Ottoman viziers and Austro-Hungarian governors used to reside. Stepanović declined such accommodation, saying, "Children, children, this is not for me. Let me find a room for myself in this house". In the end, he and his staff settled in an auxiliary room next to the palace. He endeared himself to the Sarajevans with his modesty and diligent work, leading the city authorities to grant him the title of "honorary citizen". The poet Aleksa Šantić wrote two poems about him, "Greeting to Vojvoda Stepa" and "Vojvoda Stepa".

After retiring from military service in 1920, Stepa lived in Čačak. He spent most of his time in the garden with his grandchildren. Unfortunately, illness soon began to take its toll on him. When he finally agreed to seek treatment, it was too late. Vojvoda Stepan Stepanović passed away on April 27, 1929, at 10:30 a.m. in Čačak. His last words were, "March forward". His death caused genuine grief throughout Yugoslavia. The National Defense, a non-governmental organization of which he was the president, decided to establish a museum dedicated to Stepa Stepanović in Čačak.

He was the recipient of numerous foreign and domestic decorations, including the Order of the Karađorđe's Star with swords 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th class, the Order of the White Eagle with swords 3rd class, the Order of Takovo Cross 2nd, 3rd, and 4th class, the Order of St. Sava 1st class, Gold Medals for Bravery, Silver Medals for Bravery, King Peter I Medals, Medals for Military Virtues, Commemorative Medals for the Serbian-Turkish Wars 1876–1878, the Commemorative Medal for the Serbian-Bulgarian War 1885–1886, the Commemorative Medal for Liberated Kosovo 1912, the Commemorative Cross 1913, the Commemorative Medal for the First World War 1914–1918, the Albanian Commemorative Medal, the Order of the Savior (Greece), the Order of St. George 4th class (Russia), the Legion of Honour 4th class (France), the Order of the Italian Crown 1st class, the Medal for Bravery (England), etc.

Many streets, places, and schools in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina bear the name Stepa Stepanović. In his honor, there is a Vojvoda Stepe Stepanovića Street in East Sarajevo as well.