Greek Officer Stylianos Kalbournis Killed During 1974 Cyprus Conflict

Stylianos Kalbournis, born in Thessaloniki on 31 January 1921, enlisted in the Greek Armed Forces in 1945 and rose through the ranks to become an anti-constitutional colonel. After serving in the artillery and infantry, he was appointed commander of the elite 181st Battalion of the National Guard, stationed in the Trikomo area of Cyprus. During the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Kalbournis was killed on 23 July 1974 while leading his unit in the southern part of the island. His military career included numerous promotions, a combat medal for bravery, and service in various training and command positions before his deployment to Cyprus in August 1972.