Constantin Prezan
Constantin Prezan was a Romanian general during World War I and a Marshal of Romania afterward.Biography
Born in Butimanu, Dâmbovița County, Prezan graduated from the officers' infantry and cavalry school in Bucharest and the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr. Made a second lieutenant in 1880, he rose to captain in 1887. A military engineering specialist, he took part in the Second Balkan War.
General Prezan commanded the 4th Army Corps in 1915-1916, and then became head of the Romanian Fourth Army during the Romanian Campaign later in 1916, against the forces of the Central Powers. Prezan led the Romanian Armed Forces in the Battle of Bucharest, and as those forces retreated into the northeastern part of Romania. In July and August 1917, Prezan, who was by then Chief of the General Staff successfully stopped the German invasion led by Field Marshal August von Mackensen. He continued serving in this position until 1920.
Documents found in military archives have brought to light Prezan's role in creating the Romanian National State. In October 1916, Prezan was rewarded with the Order of Michael the Brave, Third Class for deeds of merit, courage, and devotion. In July 1917, when he commanded the General Army Quarters, Prezan was honoured with the Order of Michael the Brave, Second Class.
During the Hungarian–Romanian War, Prezan led the Romanian Armed Forces in the battles of Bessarabia, Bukovina, and Transylvania. For his outstanding service, King Ferdinand I awarded him in February 1920 the Order of Michael the Brave, First Class. Prezan was promoted as Marshal of Romania in 1930.
In 1917 Prezan was awarded the Legion of Honour, Grand Officer. He was also awarded the Order of the Cross of Takovo and a number of other decorations.
A major boulevard in Bucharest is named after him.
