Major Ioannis Velissariou | |
|---|---|
 Velissariou in uniform. | |
| Native name | Ιωάννης Βελισσαρίου |
| Nickname(s) | Hero of the Heroes Ήρωας των Ηρώων Black Rider Μαύρος Καβαλάρης |
| Born | 26 November 1861[1] Ploiești, United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (now Romania) |
| Died | 13 July 1913 Gradevo, Tsardom of Bulgaria |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Greece |
| Service/ |  Hellenic Army |
| Years of service | 1887–1913 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Commands | 4th Infantry Regiment
|
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |  Order of the Redeemer |
Ioannis Velissariou (Greek: Ιωάννης Βελισσαρίου, 26 November 1861 – 13 July 1913) was a Hellenic Army officer and hero of the Balkan Wars. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in the military history of modern Greece. He had a decisive role in the Battle of Bizani during the First Balkan War (1912–1913), forcing the Ottoman Army to surrender unconditionally.[2]
- ^ Note: Greece officially adopted the Gregorian calendar on 16 February 1923 (which became 1 March). All dates prior to that, unless specifically denoted, are Old Style.
- ^ "Biography of Major Ioannis Velissariou (Infantry)". Hellenic Military Academy. Archived from the original on 7 May 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2012.