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Ahmet Cevdet Sunay(Turkish:[ˈdʒevdetˈsunaj];10 February 1899 – 22 May 1982) was aTurkishpolitician andarmyofficer,who served as the fifthPresident of Turkeyfrom 1966 to 1973.
Cevdet Sunay | |
|---|---|
 Sunay in 1964 | |
| 5thPresident of Turkey | |
| In office 28 March 1966 – 28 March 1973 | |
| Prime Minister | Süleyman Demirel Nihat Erim Ferit Melen |
| Preceded by | Cemal Gürsel |
| Succeeded by | Fahri Korutürk |
| Chief of the General Staff of Turkey | |
| In office 4 August 1960 – 16 March 1966 | |
| Preceded by | Ragıp Gümüşpala |
| Succeeded by | Cemal Tural |
| Commander of the Turkish Army | |
| In office 3 June 1960 – 2 August 1960 | |
| Preceded by | Cemal Gürsel |
| Succeeded by | Mehmet Muzaffer Alankuş |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 February 1899 Çaykara,Trabzon Vilayet,Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 22 May 1982(aged 83) Istanbul,Turkey |
| Resting place | Turkish State Cemetery |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Atıfet Sunay |
| Children | Atilla Sunay Aysel Sunay Argun Sunay |
| Alma mater | Kuleli Military High School Turkish Military Academy Army War Institute |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Ottoman Empire Turkey |
| Branch/service | Ottoman ArmyTurkish Land Forces |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | |
Early life and career
editSunay was born in 1899 in the village of Ataköy nearÇaykarainTrabzon Vilayet,Ottoman Empire.[1]After attending elementary school and middle school inErzurumandEdirne,he graduated fromKuleli Military High SchoolinIstanbul.DuringWorld War I,he fought in 1917 at thePalestine frontand became aprisoner of warof theBritishinEgyptin 1918. After his release, he fought first on the southern front, then on the western front during theTurkish War of Independence.
Sunay completed his military education in 1927, and graduated from thestaff collegein 1930 as a staff officer. Rising through the ranks to become a general in 1949 and then afour-star generalin 1959, he held important military posts. In 1960, he was appointed army chief and later joint chief of staff. On 14 March 1966, he was appointed to thesenatebyCemal Gürselunder his presidential contingency.[2]
When Gürsel's presidency was terminated due to ill health in accordance with the constitution, Cevdet Sunay was elected 5th president by theGrand National Assembly of Turkeyon 28 March 1966. He maintained his office despite increasingterrorist activity,student riots, and threatened coups. He served the constitutional term of seven years until 28 March 1973 and became then a permanent senator.
He was married toAtıfetin 1929.[3]They had three sons, Atilla, Aysel and Argun Sunay.[4]
Presidency
editChief of the General Staff Cevdet Sunay was elected as the fifth president of the Turkish Republic by theGrand National Assembly of Turkeyon 28 March 1966.[5]His presidential service continued until 28 March 1973 where he had to go through troubled times. Between 1961 and 1965Süleyman Demirel,Nihat ErimandFerit Melenwere the most prominent members in President Sunay’s administration. Cevdet Sunay resigned as president due to deteriorating health conditions.
Death
editCevdet Sunay died of a heart attack on 22 May 1982 in Istanbul. His body was moved in August 1988 to a permanent burial place in the newly builtTurkish State CemeteryinAnkara.
Honours
edit- National honours
- Recipient of the Medal of Independence with Red Ribbon.
- Foreign honours
Commemorative Medal of the2500th Anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire(14/10/1971).[6]
Grand Cross with Collar of theOrder of the White Rose of Finland(1971)[7]
Knight Commander of theOrder of the Bath[KCB].
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Cevdet Sunay Müzesi - Trabzon".Türkiye Kültür Portalı.30 December 2022.
- ^"SUNAY, Cevdet - TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi".TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi(in Turkish).Retrieved19 March2022.
- ^"Çankaya'nın First Lady'leri".Hürriyet(in Turkish). 15 April 2007.Retrieved16 February2019.
- ^"Sunay'ın eşi vefat etti".Radikal(in Turkish). 22 October 2002.Retrieved16 February2019.
- ^"O gün bugün | 5. Cumhurbaşkanı Cevdet Sunay oldu".Milliyet(in Turkish). 28 March 2020.Retrieved19 March2022.
- ^BadraieArchivedMarch 5, 2016, at theWayback Machine
- ^"Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ritarikunnan suurristin ketjuineen ulkomaalaiset saajat - Ritarikunnat".9 October 2020.