97-year-old Greek WWII veteran, Iakovos Tsounis, passes away

·

97-year-old Greek WWII veteran and shipowner, Iakovos Tsounis, passed away on Saturday.

The special and admirable Greek is a descendant of the heroes of the revolution of 1821. He himself fought at the age of 16 in the Greek-Italian War of 1940, thus being the youngest veteran of World War II.

The President of the Hellenic Republic issued a statement after the news of his passing.

”A national benefactor, a true patriot and philanthropist, Iakovos Tsounis, with his ethos and great contribution especially to the Armed Forces, leaves a great legacy in the country. His loss causes grief to all Greeks. We say goodbye to him with gratitude,” the Greek President stated.

The Greek veteran started as a customs broker in Piraeus. In 1966 he entered shipping as a shipowner, acquiring a total of 13 merchant ships and forming a large fortune. Tsounis also built a Museum, which is located next to his permanent residence on Kyprou Street, in Papagou.

Greek shipowner Iakovos Tsounis was presented with a ceremonial sword for his donation. Credit: Ministry of Defense

Tsounis received the Commemoration of the Star of Value and Honor in 2018 for his service and in April 2020, following the advice of Armed Forces and a proposal of the Minister of National Defense, Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, he was awarded the rank of reservist Major General.

In February 2021, Tsounis had donated 23 million euros and 60 landing craft to the Greek armed forces. Tsounis declared that he wanted to leave life as he began it — barefoot.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

History and heritage united: Evzones receive warm reception in South Australia

Greek Australians were filled with pride on Thursday, 24 April 2025, as the Evzones stood in reverent formation during an official reception.

The Tymbakion Shorts: How a heirloom uncovered a hidden chapter of ANZAC history

When Dr Andrew Holyoake stumbled upon wartime memorabilia, he had no idea it would lead him to a long-forgotten chapter of WWII history.

A Kytherian ANZAC: The wartime legacy of Nicholas Theodore Georgeopoulos

Nicholas, the first child of Theodore N and Eirini Tzortzopoulos, was born in Sydney, Australia in 1917. Read more here.

Oakleigh Grammar commemorates ANZAC Day at special assembly

Oakleigh Grammar has honoured ANZAC Day with a moving whole school assembly to commence Term Two of 2025.

‘ANZAC Bread’: How Australian flour fed the survivors of Genocide

The Hobson’s Bay had sailed from Melbourne the previous month with thousands sacks of flour donated by Victorian farmers.

You May Also Like

ICAC finds former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian engaged in corrupt conduct

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption has handed down the findings of a corruption probe into former Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Greek financial police raid soccer federation (EPO)

Greece’s financial police on Wednesday raided the headquarters of the country’s soccer federation (EPO) in Athens, the federation said.

History made as Donald Trump is impeached for a second time

House of Representatives has voted 232 to 197 to impeach US President Donald Trump for inciting an insurrection against the US government.