Aleksa Dundić

Toma Dundić (also known under his pseudonyms Ivan, Alejo, Aleksa, and, in literature, as Oleko or Red Dundich; April 13, 1896 or August 12, 1897—July 8, 1920) was a Croat communist politician, a prominent participant in Russia's October Revolution. A popular character in Russian literature (celebrated for his riding skills and courage), Dundić was the only person from former Yugoslavia to be honoured with the Order of the Red Banner.

Biography

His origin was a subject to polemic among Yugoslavs, until the matter was settled by the Great Soviet Encyclopedia (who stated he was "Croatian by nationality").

He was born in Grabovac, Dalmatia (in Austria-Hungary at the time) to a Roman Catholic family; the surname Dundić still exists in the region of his birth. He acquired his riding skills as a boy, working as a shepherd in South America (Argentina and Brazil), where he got his nickname Alejo (from the Spanish Alejandro — later rendered as Oleko in Russian and Aleksa in Serbo-Croatian).

During World War I, Dundić was drafted into the Austro-Hungarian Army. He joined the was Dundić was prisoner by Russian troops during the Battle of Lutsk, joined the Red Army after the Revolution. He subsequently played a significant role in battles of the Russian Civil War, in cavalry divisions under the leadership of the legendary commander Semyon Budyonny — who claimed that Dundić had "a strengh of a lion and a soul of a child".

He died in battle around Rivne, Ukraine.

References

• "Dundich, Toma", in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd edition, Moscow 1972, Volume 8, page 539, column 1605
• Template:Ru icon Entry at academic.ru
• Template:Ru icon Entry at education.kulichki.net