The Hellenic National Defence General Staff issued an announcement regarding the passing of the Honorary Chief of the Hellenic Army, Michael Costarakos, who passed away in the morning at the 424 General Military Training Hospital.

The HNDGS announcement in detail:

“On Friday, June 02, 2023, the Honorary Chief of the HNDGS, General Michael Costarakos, passed away at the 424 General Military Training Hospital where he was hospitalized. General Michael Costarakos served as Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff from November 1, 2011, to September 15, 2015.

He was born in Thessaloniki in February 1956 and was admitted to the Hellenic Military Academy in 1974 where he graduated in 1978 as an Artillery Second Lieutenant.

Mr. Costarakos also graduated from:

– The Basic and Advanced Training Schools of Artillery Combat and the Joint School of Air Defence.

– The Guided Missiles HAWK Air Defence School in Greece and in the USA (FORT BLISS, TEXAS).

– The  Guided Missiles HAWK School at the NATO Planning Center (NPC GLONS, Belgium).

– The Higher School of War.

– The first NATO Operational Planning School at the Netherlands War School.

– The School of International Security Environment of the NATO Defence School.

– The School of National Defence.

Also read: In the pantheon of the immortals, the national benefactor and Honorable Major General, Iakovos Tsounis

As a junior and senior Officer he served as:

– Commander of the Heavy Artillery and Guided Missiles HAWK battery.

– Guided Missiles HAWK Squadron Operations Officer.

– Deputy Squadron Commander.

– Field Artillery Squadron Commander.

– Guided Missiles HAWK Squadron Commander.

– Staff in Artillery Command.

– Intelligence Officer at the International Military Staff of NATO (IMS/NATO).

– Staff at the Directorate of Information of HNDGS.

– Director of the Staff Office of the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff.

– Head of CURRENT OPS for the Balkans at IMS/NATO.

– Chief of Staff at NATO Deployable Corps Greece.

– Director of Joint Operation Center of KFOR.

As a senior officer, he served as:

– Assistant Chief of Staff in the 3rd Army Corps/NDC-GR.

– Commander of the 96th Higher Command of National Guard Battalions “CHIOS”.

– Director of the 3rd EG/Hellenic Army General Staff.

– Director of the Directorate of Operations of Hellenic Army General Staff.

– Director of the 1st Branch/Hellenic Army General Staff.

– Commander of the 12th Mechanized Infantry Division “EVROS”.

– Commander of the 3rd Army Corps “Alexander the Great”.

– Commander of the NATO Deployable Corps Greece.

– Chief of the National Defence General Staff.

Also read: Last Hierolochite, Special Forces General Konstantinos Korkas, passed away

On November 13, 2014, he was elected as the President of the Military Committee of the European Union and, by decision of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, assumed his duties on November 06, 2015.

He graduated from the political department of the Law School of the University of Athens and held a Master’s Degree in “Diplomatic and Strategic Studies”.

He has been awarded all the prescribed military medals and insignia of his rank.

The funeral procession of the Honorary Chief of the HNDGS, General Michael Costarakos, will be held on Tuesday, June 06, 2023, at 12:00, in the Holy Cathedral of God Sophia in Thessaloniki. The deceased will be buried at the “Resurrection of the Lord” Cemetery in Thermi.

The Armed Forces express their deepest condolences to the deceased’s family.”

Also read: Rear Admiral’s donation to the Hellenic Navy in honor P. Laskaridis – Completion of the “KYKNOS II” Program – Photos