Karl Paul von Quosdanovich
Karlo Pavao Gvozdanović was a Croatian nobleman and general in the Habsburg Monarchy imperial army service. He achieved the rank of major general and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa in 1801 and the Commander's Cross of the same order of merit in 1814.Biography
Karlo Pavao baron Gvozdanović was born in Žumberak, a range of mountains between Croatia and Slovenia, known for his uskoks, the refugees from parts of Croatia occupied by the Ottoman Empire and traditional guerrilla soldiers. The Gvozdanović family surname dates back to Raška and Zeta in the Middle Ages. He was a relative of Petar Vid Gvozdanović, Fieldmarshal Lieutenant, who distinguished himself in the War of the Bavarian Succession and the War of the First Coalition.
Having started his military career as a young man, he was promoted gradually, becoming captain in 1796, major in 1801, colonel in 1809 and finally major general on 12 May 1813. He fought in many battles during several wars at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century. For his merits he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa in the 66th promotion ceremony which took place on 18 August 1801, as well as the Commander's Cross on 8 March 1814.
Gvozdanović died at the beginning of 1817 in Pančevo, a town in Banat Military Frontier of the Habsburg Monarchy, at the age of 53.
