Ragip Gumuspala

Ragıp Gümüşpala was born in 1897 in Edirne, Ottoman Empire. He graduated from Edirne High School and entered the Military Academy in 1917. He served as a lieutenant in the Ottoman Army during World War I and was captured by the British in 1918. He returned to Turkey in 1920 and joined the War of Independence. He was awarded the Medal of Independence for his contributions to the national struggle. He became a staff officer in 1931 after graduating from the War Academy. He rose through the ranks and became a general in 1959. He served as the commander of the 3rd Army and the chief of the General Staff. He was involved in the 1960 military coup that overthrew the Democrat Party government. He was forced to retire by the National Unity Committee that took power after the coup. He entered politics in 1961 and founded the Justice Party as the successor of the Democrat Party. He became the leader of the opposition in the parliament and advocated for a return to democracy. He died of a heart attack in 1964 in Istanbul. He was buried in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. He was married to Nuriye Gümüşpala and had six children. He is remembered as a patriotic and honest leader who defended the principles of democracy and justice.