Getting to Know Raden Soeprapto, an Indonesian Military Figure

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Posthumous Lieutenant General TNI Raden Soeprapto was one of Indonesia's military figures who dedicated his life to the struggle for independence and building the nation's defense strength. His career began in the early days of independence and he was trusted to hold several important positions within the TNI.

Raden Soeprapto was born in Purwokerto, Central Java, on June 20, 1920. He briefly attended the Royal Military Academy in Bandung, West Java. However, the education was interrupted after Japan landed and occupied Indonesia. During the Japanese occupation, Soeprapto then attended several youth training programs, including a course at the Youth Training Center.

Entering the early days of independence, Soeprapto was active in efforts to defend Indonesia's independence. He was involved in the effort to seize Japanese troops' weapons in Cilacap before joining the People's Security Army (TKR) in Purwokerto.

In 1945, Soeprapto participated in the Battle of Ambarawa in Central Java to confront the Allied forces. In that struggle, he served as an aide to the Supreme Commander General Sudirman. Experience on the battlefield then became an important part of his military career journey.

As his career progressed, Soeprapto was entrusted with several strategic positions within the TNI. He once served as the Chief of Staff of the Army and Territory IV in Semarang, worked in the Army Staff in Jakarta, and became the Deputy Chief of Army Staff for the Sumatra region in Medan.

Soeprapto was then entrusted with the position of Deputy II Minister/Commander of the Army in Jakarta. In the course of his duties, he was known as one of the officers who opposed the idea of forming the Fifth Force proposed by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), which involved workers and farmers as a defense force.

Raden Soeprapto's service ended on October 1, 1965, after he was kidnaped and murdered during a series of political and military events that occurred at that time. His body was found in Lubang Buaya area, East Jakarta, and was later buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta. The government awarded the honorary title of Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipradana to Lieutenant General TNI (Posthumous) R. Soeprapto thru Presidential Decree Number 050/BTK/TH/1965 on November 10, 1965, in recognition of his services and dedication to the nation and the state.