Milan Vukša


Milan Vukša was a prominent figure in the National Liberation Army and Partisan Detachments of Yugoslavia resistance during World War II and a highly decorated sub-colonel of the Yugoslav People's Army.

Personal life

Milan Vukša was born in 1903 in the village of Vrtoče, near Petrovac. He was the son of Miloš Vukša and Ruža Janjić. Raised in a rural family, he worked as a miner before the war, spending time in the Trepča Mines and in Belgian mines. He also served in the gendarmerie of the Royal Yugoslav Army of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
Vukša married twice. His first wife, Ruža, died in a traffic accident in 1966. They had four children: Vaso Vukša, Dušan Vukša, Mirjana Grandov and Dušanka Birg. His second wife, Radojka from Sanski Most, was 22 years younger. They had one daughter, Olga, who has a son named Željko Vukša-Fejzić.

World War II

Following the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941, Milan Vukša actively participated in the preparations for the armed uprising. From the outset, he engaged in insurgent and guerrilla warfare. Throughout the war, Vukša served as a member of the Third Krajina Brigade, demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities. This led to his election as the first political commissar of the company, even before joining the League of Communists of Yugoslavia in 1942.
During his time in the Partisan movement, Vukša participated in significant battles, including the Kozara Offensive, Battle of the Neretva, Battle of Sutjeska and the liberation of Glamoč and Livno. He held various positions within the brigade, progressing from a regular soldier to the rank of battalion commander.

Post-War Career and Legacy

After the war, Milan Vukša continued his military career in the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, having served with distinction. Vukša receiving numerous awards for his contributions to the Partisan resistance, including the Order of the Partisan Star, Order of the Republic, the Order of Merits for the People, and the Order of Brotherhood and Unity.
He documented his experiences during the war in the memoir collection "Petrovac in the People's Liberation War" through which his legacy as a courageous fighter and dedicated leader lives on, inspiring future generations.
He died on April 3rd 1980 and was entombed in the Bare Cemetery in Sarajevo.