Milunka Savić

 Milunka Savić is the most decorated female war hero in history.  She was born on June 28, 1892 in the Koprivnica villege of the Kingdom of Serbia.  It was in 1912 that her brother was called on to serve in the Balkan Wars. It is unclear whether she fought alongside him or chose to go in his place.  Either way, she chopped her hair and disguised herself as a man in order to volunteer in the Serbian army where she gained recognition for her valor rather quickly.

The documentary, "Milunka Savić – Heroine of the Great War", highlights Savić's accomplishments and shows the world the life of the woman who should be the most celebrated woman warrior.  Not only was she awarded by the Kingdom of Serbia, but she also received high honors from Great Britain, France, and Russia. She fought in both the Balkan Wars and World War I as a Sargent.  She was wounded a total of four times, with the first time being revealed as a woman.  When her commander found out, he attempted to have her transfer to the Nursing division, as she had already accomplished more than many men and wasn't willing to punish her. As a natural-born warrior, she requested he allow her to stay, standing at attention for about an hour until he relented, letting her remain the soldier she had fought to become.  Milunka Savić received the following honors during her military service:  

1. Order of the Star of Karađorđe

2. Légion d’Honneur (twice)

3. Russian Cross of St. George

4. British medal of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael

5. Miloš Obilić medal

6. Croix de Guerre with gold palm

Milunka Savić accomplished a great deal for a poor farm girl in a kingdom where women have had little say in much of anything.  While women in Serbia are still fighting today for equality, as women are all over the world, the highest officials throughout Serbia honor and respect Savić for the warrior that she was. Savić refused to be anything less than she was and she was fortunate enough to be rewarded for her victories rather than looked at as some crazy woman. 

Works Cited:

"Milunka Savić." The Female Soldier, 20 Apr. 2015, http://thefemalesoldier.com/blog/milunka-savi 

"Milunka Savic." Badass of the Week, http://www.badassoftheweek.com/savic.html 

"Milunka Savić." Wikipedia, 4 May 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milunka_Savi%C4%87 

"Premiere of the film "Milunka Savic – Heroine of the Great War." Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 10 Apr. 2013, http://www.mod.gov.rs/eng/5629/premijera-filma-milunka-savic-heroina-velikog-rata-5629 

"Serbia." UN Women, http://eca.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/serbia