Johan Pitka
Johan Pitka | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 19 February 1872 |
| Died | September 1944 (aged 72) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Estonia |
Branch |  Estonian Navy |
Service years | 1918–1920 |
Rank | Rear admiral |
Conflicts | Estonian War of Independence World War II |
| Awards | Cross of Liberty (Estonia) Order of St Michael and St George Order of Lāčplēsis Order of the Cross of the Eagle |
Johan Pitka, VR I/1, KCMG (also Juhan Pitka; 19 February 1872 – September 1944) was an Estonian entrepreneur and sea captain who served as the Commander of the Estonian Navy during the Estonian War of Independence.
Pitka was one of the central figures in founding the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Navy of the newly established Estonian Republic at the end of World War I in 1918. Pitka was appointed the Commander of the Estonian Navy in December 1918 and led it through the victorious Estonian War of Independence without losing a ship.
Due to his commitment to his country Pitka has been referred to as "the Spirit of the Estonian War of Independence".