By: Prabowo Subianto [taken from the Book: Military Leadership Notes from Experience Chapter I]
During a 328 Battalion operation in East Timor, from October 1988 through November 1989, Gebo stood out from the crowd. In many gunfights, he was always in the front line.
One day, after surveilling from a distance, he decided to infiltrate and mount a direct attack on the enemy camp. He led his men crawling hundreds of meters. Some of his men even said they crawled more than a kilometre so they could go in undetected. They then carried out a surprise attack and managed to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. However, during the battle, he was shot and died.
To honour his bravery, he was awarded the Bintang Sakti medal by his superior. Siprianus Gebo’s traits exemplify the leadership ethos that has become a tradition in TNI’s elite forces.
Next, I want to tell a story about First Lieutenant TNI Posthumous Siprianus Gebo. Siprianus Gebo graduated from AKABRI in 1985. He joined the 328 Battalion in late 1987 when I was the Battalion Commander. He was Platoon Commander of Company A.
From early on, Lieutenant Gebo had shown prominent military leadership traits. Physically, he was exceptionally strong. He is a long-distance runner who excelled in various competitions, even often beating KOPASSUS soldiers. He was also a great assault climber; and a very good shooter.
He had a sunny disposition. He was friendly and easygoing. He is originally from Ende, East Nusa Tenggara. During the 328 Battalion operation in East Timor, from October 1988 through November 1989, Gebo stood out from the crowd. In many gunfights, he was always in the front line. At one point, after his team member found traces of the enemy, he tracked their footprints until he managed to find the guerrilla fighters’ hideout.
After surveilling from a distance, he decided to infiltrate and mount a direct attack on the enemy camp. He led his men crawling hundreds of meters. Some of his men even said they crawled more than a kilometre so they could go in undetected. They then carried out a surprise attack and managed to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. However, during the battle, he was shot and died.
To honour his bravery, he was awarded the Bintang Sakti medal by his superior. Siprianus Gebo’s traits exemplify the leadership ethos that has become a tradition in TNI’s elite forces.
In the 328 Battalion, nicknamed Kujang Raider, examples of heroism like this have become a tradition. There are many service members, NCOs, and officers, who are well-versed in combat. They are courageous, not out of recklessness but supported by excellent military knowledge and skills. The average soldier of the 328 Battalion is adept at shooting. 328 Battalion has also been long known in the Armed Forces for its shooting finesse.
I met Siprianus Gebo’s mother in 2009 while I was campaigning in Ende. I asked the locals whether they knew where the Gebo family lives. They knew him and directed me to a house about 30 minutes outside Ende.
I decided to pay a visit. The house was not far from the main road. It was a very simple house with a dirt floor. The photograph of Siprianus Gebo hung on the wall in the cramped living room. His mother still kept his green beret and uniform. I could only imagine the feeling of a mother who lost a very brave son, idolised in his village. Such is the price of honour in defending the motherland.
As an ancient Javanese philosophy goes: Jer basuki mawa beya, which means a great country is founded on the sacrifices of her best sons and daughters and the tears of their mothers.
