# Milunka Savić > Serbian war heroine (1890–1973) **Wikidata**: [Q6861607](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6861607) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milunka_Savić) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/milunka-savic ## Summary Milunka Savić was a Serbian war heroine renowned for her exceptional bravery and military service during the Second Balkan War and World War I. She holds the distinction of being one of the most decorated female soldiers in military history, recognized with numerous high honors from Serbia, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom for her valor on the front lines. ## Biography - **Born:** 24 June 1890 - **Nationality:** Serbia - **Education:** Not specified in source material - **Known for:** Exceptional bravery and military service in the Second Balkan War and World War I - **Employer(s):** Serbian Armed Forces (military service) - **Field(s):** Military service ## Contributions Milunka Savić's primary contributions were her direct combat actions and sustained bravery during major conflicts: * She served as a soldier in the Serbian Army during the Second Balkan War (1912-1913), participating in the Siege of Scutari. * She fought valiantly in World War I (1914-1918), participating in significant battles including the Battle of Kolubara (1914) and the Battle of Kajmakchalan (1916). * Her actions resulted in her becoming one of the most decorated female soldiers in history, earning prestigious military decorations from multiple nations for her courage and service. ## FAQs **What was Milunka Savić's nationality?** Milunka Savić was Serbian, serving in the Serbian Armed Forces during her military career. **In which major conflicts did Milunka Savić serve?** She served as a soldier in the Serbian Army during the Second Balkan War (1912-1913) and World War I (1914-1918). **What significant battles was Milunka Savić involved in?** She participated in the Siege of Scutari (1913), the Battle of Kolubara (1914), and the Battle of Kajmakchalan (1916). **What notable awards did Milunka Savić receive?** She received the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France), the Officer of the Legion of Honour (France), the Knight of the Legion of Honour (France), the Medal for Bravery (Serbia), the Order of the Star of Karađorđe (Serbia), the Order of St. George (Russia), and the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (United Kingdom). **Why is Milunka Savić historically significant?** She is historically significant as one of the most decorated female soldiers in military history, recognized for extraordinary bravery in combat during the Balkan Wars and World War I, challenging gender norms of her era. ## Why They Matter Milunka Savić matters because she stands as an extraordinary testament to courage and resilience, particularly as a woman excelling in direct combat roles during the early 20th century. Her actions during the Second Balkan War and World War I, including key battles like Kolubara and Kajmakchalan, were crucial to Serbian military efforts. Her unparalleled collection of high-level military decorations from Serbia, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom underscores the universal recognition of her valor. She shattered gender barriers in warfare, becoming an enduring symbol of female heroism and sacrifice in the context of Serbian national history and the broader narrative of women in combat. Her legacy ensures that the story of women's significant contributions to warfare, often overlooked, is remembered. ## Notable For * One of the most decorated female soldiers in military history. * Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France). * Recipient of the Officer of the Legion of Honour (France). * Recipient of the Knight of the Legion of Honour (France). * Recipient of the Medal for Bravery (Serbia). * Recipient of the Order of the Star of Karađorđe (Serbia). * Recipient of the Order of St. George (Russia). * Recipient of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (United Kingdom). * Served as a combat soldier in the Serbian Army during the Second Balkan War and World War I. * Participated in the Siege of Scutari (1913), Battle of Kolubara (1914), and Battle of Kajmakchalan (1916). ## Body ### Early Life and Service Milunka Savić was born on 24 June 1890. Her nationality was Serbian. She entered military service, becoming a soldier in the Serbian Army. Her service began during the Second Balkan War (1912-1913), a conflict where Serbia fought against Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and the Ottoman Empire. During this war, she participated in the Siege of Scutari in 1913, an engagement where Allied forces of Montenegro and Serbia besieged Ottoman forces. ### World War I Service Savić's military service continued into World War I (1914-1918), a global conflict originating in Europe. She served as a combat soldier in the Serbian Army during this period. Her participation included several significant battles: * **Battle of Kolubara (1914):** A major battle during World War I where Serbian forces successfully defended against Austro-Hungarian invasion. * **Battle of Kajmakchalan (1916):** A battle fought in 1916 as part of the Serbian campaign against Bulgarian forces during World War I. Her actions on the front lines were characterized by exceptional bravery. ### Recognition and Awards Savić's extraordinary bravery and service resulted in her receiving numerous high military decorations from multiple nations: * **Serbia:** * Medal for Bravery (established 1913) * Order of the Star of Karađorđe (established 1904) * **France:** * Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (established 1915) * Officer of the Legion of Honour * Knight of the Legion of Honour * **Russia:** * Order of St. George (established 1769), the highest purely military decoration of the Russian Empire. * **United Kingdom:** * Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (established 1818) This collection of prestigious awards, spanning different countries and levels of honor, cemented her status as one of the most decorated female soldiers in history. ### Legacy Milunka Savić's legacy is defined by her remarkable courage and the unprecedented level of recognition she received for her combat service. She served as a soldier in the Serbian Army during the Second Balkan War and World War I, participating in key engagements like the Siege of Scutari, the Battle of Kolubara, and the Battle of Kajmakchalan. Her story challenges historical narratives about women's roles in warfare, demonstrating that women could and did perform exceptionally in direct combat roles. Her numerous awards, including the Serbian Medal for Bravery and Star of Karađorđe, the French Croix de guerre and Legion of Honour, the Russian Order of St. George, and the British Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, stand as a permanent testament to her valor. She remains a significant figure in Serbian history, celebrated as a war heroine whose achievements transcended national boundaries. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. Czech National Authority Database 3. [The Legacy of Serbia's Great War: Politics and Remembrance](https://books.google.com/books?id=e8nnEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA128) 4. [Heard Amid the Guns: True Stories from the Western Front, 1914-1918](https://books.google.com/books?id=7LEEEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA104) 5. [Stroj kaplara Milunke](https://www.novosti.rs/dodatni_sadrzaj/clanci.119.html:278743-Stroj-kaplara-Milunke) 6. Virtual International Authority File 7. [Source](https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Milunka_Savić)