Defence Minister Naď promotes WW2 veteran: The stars on Capt (Rtd) Šteflovič's shoulder marks mirror the face and acts of a real hero

A day ahead of the 77th Slovak National Uprising (SNP) anniversary, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď met with SNP heroes at the Trenčín Garrison Club, where he promoted WW2 veteran Štefan Šteflovič to Captain (Retired) and awarded other WW2 veterans with a memorial medal.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Every single SNP fighter who either fought for eternal values with or without a weapon in his hands deserves our enormous respect and ’Thank You’. Every moment spent with these heroes is very precious to me, because listening to their stories reinforces our gratitude for life in democracy, freedom and peace for which many of their friends and fellow soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Capt (Rtd) Šteflovič, a native of Kochanovce, served with the 2nd Czechoslovak Independent Parachute Brigade before taking up duties at the 3rd Czechoslovak Independent Brigade. As a member of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps in the USSR, he participated in fighting from Kamenec Podolský to the Dukla Pass, where as the commander of a submachine gun platoon he sustained serious wounds. In 2019, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Retired). Speaking in appreciation of his notable record of operational service in WW2, Minister Naď said, “The stars on Capt (Rtd) Šteflovič's shoulder marks mirror the face and acts of a real hero.”

As part of today’s programme dedicated to WW2 veterans, the head of the MOD also awarded several members of the national liberation struggle for their role in liberating Trenčín. He presented them with the 75th SNP Anniversary and End of WW2 Memorial Medal. Among the recipients were Nora Guttmannová, Július Kusý, Mária Mištinová, Pavol Múčka as well as three members of the Anti-Nazi Fighters Association Committee Trenčín – Miroslav Malay, Miroslav Ondráš and Vieroslav Pelech.