Serbia and Spain posthumously decorate Serbian Army Sergeant First Class Milovan Jovanovic

The Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Spain have posthumously decorated Serbian Army Sergeant First Class Milovan Jovanovic, who was killed on 4 June this year while serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic posthumously awarded Jovanovic the Order of Karadjordje's Star, First Class, while Spain decorated the Serbian non-commissioned officer with the Cross for Military Merit with Yellow Distinction.

President Vucic presented the decoration to the fallen serviceman's father, Miloš Jovanovic. According to the Decree conferring the decoration, Milovan Jovanovic was awarded the Order of Karadjordje's Star, First Class for exceptional merit in representing the Republic of Serbia in the field of security and defence.

Vucic said the decoration was being awarded to "a true Serbian hero"—a man who was always courageous, brave and honorable, a devoted father to Miloš and Anastasija, and a loving husband.

"Whatever one says at a moment like this is both too much and never enough," Vucic said.

He thanked the Spanish defence minister for coming to Serbia accompanied by 11 members of the Spanish Armed Forces who had served alongside Milovan Jovanovic at the Miguel de Cervantes Base in southern Lebanon.

"There is no point in informing the people of our countries from which side the shells that struck the base came. What must be said is that Milovan was carrying out an honorable mission—one more honorable could hardly exist. He performed it proudly, courageously and with dignity. As Cervantes said, for freedom and honor, a man can and must put his life at risk. My dear Serbian brother, Milovan, honorable non-commissioned officer, you have done more for peace and freedom than all of us. You did what you could and what you had to do. You could do what you had prepared for your entire life, and you had to do what military honor required of you," the Serbian president said.

Vucic added that Jovanovic died as heroes do—with honor and courage—and that this was why he was posthumously awarding him the Order of Karadjordje's Star, First Class.

"I award you this decoration with both profound sorrow and great pride. With sorrow because you are not here to receive it, because I have met your wonderful family and I see how difficult this is for them. With pride because you earned it through every day of your service and every moment in which you faithfully performed your duty. Rest in peace, dear Milovan. Serbia will not forget you, and even more importantly, it will not and must not forget your family," Vucic said.

He stressed that heroism knows no borders and thanked Spain for what he described as a humanitarian gesture.

"Milovan carried the Serbian flag far from home, yet stood just as proudly beneath the Spanish flag at the joint Miguel de Cervantes Base. I thank you, Minister, and Spain for this humanitarian gesture. Spain's decision to decorate a Serbian non-commissioned officer speaks to something fundamental. It confirms that there are values stronger than politics, protocol and interests. It confirms that there exists a community of those who believe that peace is worth every sacrifice. Our Milovan belonged to that noble community. Today Serbia and Spain bow before the same name. That is a bond that neither time nor distance can break," Vucic said.

On behalf of Spain, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles Fernández presented the Cross for Military Merit with Yellow Distinction of the Kingdom of Spain to Ana Jovanovic, the widow of Milovan Jovanovic.

The decoration is awarded for exceptional merit, acts or service involving a high degree of personal risk, as well as in cases of serious injury or death in the performance of military duty. It may be conferred upon members of the Spanish Armed Forces, the Civil Guard, foreign military personnel or civilians who have been wounded or lost their lives while demonstrating exceptional dedication and courage during missions.

The minister said that for her and Milovan's comrades, who had travelled from Spain and had served with him every day at the Miguel de Cervantes Base, it was a great honor to present his family with Spain's highest decoration for service in the cause of peace.

"The greatest and most heroic act is to give one's life for others. At that difficult moment, Milovan Jovanovic was in Lebanon defending the base. He was serving on a United Nations mission. He stood there alongside his Serbian and Spanish colleagues. During the attack in which he lost his life, three other peacekeepers were wounded—one from El Salvador and two from Spain. I know what the pain of a family means. But I also know that Milovan is with us today and that he is proud of his family and of his country, Serbia," Fernández said.

She added that the Spanish people are proud of their friendship with Serbia and proud that a Serbian soldier had served alongside them.

"This decoration is an expression of the compassion of the Spanish people and our armed forces. Milovan, we will never forget you. Yesterday, while speaking with Spanish soldiers, I saw tears in their eyes. We stand with his family and with Serbia, always in the cause of peace. Spain proudly confers its highest decoration with profound respect and affection for the Serbian people and the family of Milovan Jovanovic," Minister Fernández said.

Serbian Army Sergeant First Class Milovan Jovanovic, who was serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), died on the morning of 4 June from injuries sustained when a projectile struck the UN base housing peacekeepers, including members of the Serbian contingent.

Following his death, Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while expressing its condolences to his family, called for an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.

The killing of the Serbian peacekeeper was also condemned by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who stressed that such attacks must cease. The UN Security Council likewise condemned the attack, expressing its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, solidarity with Serbia, and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Since the escalation of hostilities in southern Lebanon began on 2 March, seven UNIFIL peacekeepers have lost their lives.