By: Prabowo Subianto [taken from the Book: Military Leadership Notes from Experience Chapter I: Exemplary Leaders of The Indonesian Armed Forces]

Yos Sudarso had aspired to become a soldier since childhood, even though his parents would have preferred him to become a teacher. Yos Sudarso realised the dream after the Japanese government needed additional military personnel to deal with the Greater East Asia War.

He then attended the Naval Academy in Semarang and attended naval military education with the Japanese Navy, from which he graduated as one of the best students. He later served on one of the Japanese military ships.

After the proclamation of Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945, he joined the People’s Security Agency in the marine sector (BKR Laut), which later became part of the Indonesian Navy.

In the course of his career, Yos Sudarso served in various military operations to eradicate insurgencies that occurred in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia. He commanded several Indonesian Navy Ships (KRI) such as KRI Rajawali, KRI Alu, KRI Gajah Mada, KRI Pattimura, and KRI Macan Tutul. In 1958, he also served as a judge on a military court for four months.

At the end of 1961, President Sukarno called for the Tri Komando Rakyat (TRIKORA), which included an operation in the Aru Sea near Maluku to support the mission to liberate West Papua from the Dutch. At that time, Yos Sudarso served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (KSAL). There were three KRIs involved in the silent operations in Maluku waters, namely KRI Macan Tutul, KRI Macan Kumbang, and KRI Harimau. Yos Sudarso commanded the KRI Macan Tutul.

Three large warships with complete weaponry belonging to the Dutch war fleet sensed the movement of Yos Sudarso and three KRI units operating in the Aru Sea. Yos Sudarso ordered the three KRIs to temporarily retreat, but the Dutch thought it was a manoeuvre to attack and then opened fire.

The engine of KRI Macan Tutul that Yos Sudarso led suddenly failed in the middle of the rescue effort. His quick thinking determined that Yos Sudarso could not save his ship, but he could save the other two. The KRI Macan Tutul that he led then put itself in the way between the Dutch warships as a shield so that the other two KRI could save themselves. The second shot of the Dutch ship hit the KRI Macan Tutul, set it on fire, and slowly sank.

Yos Sudarso died alongside 24 men in the mission with KRI Macan Tutul in the battle of the Aru Sea. He sacrificed his life in the line of duty for the country’s sake at the young age of 36 years old.