Torsten Stålnacke

Torsten Stålnacke
Birth name Torsten Emanuel Stålnacke
Nickname(s) "Stålis"[1]
Born (1933-12-31)31 December 1933
Svappavaara, Sweden
Died 4 August 2012(2012-08-04) (aged 78)
Sälen, Sweden
Allegiance Sweden
Service/branch Swedish Army
Rank Överfurir
Battles/wars UNEF (1956–57)
ONUC (1961)
UNFICYP (1965–1968)
Awards

Royal Medal of Vasa

Swedish Armed Forces Medal for Wounded in Battle

Torsten Emanuel Stålnacke (31 December 1933 – 4 August 2012) was a former Swedish UN-soldier and Swedish Army överfurir, mostly known for his actions during the Congo Crisis.

Career

Stålnacke was born in Svappavaara, Sweden. He served in the first two Swedish UN battalions in Suez-Gaza 1956-1957 as part of UNEF.[2] Stålnacke became known during the Congo Crisis for his gallant conduct in action on 14 September 1961. In connection with an attack on a weapons depot two of his comrades were shocked and Stålnacke advanced by himself against an enemy firing position, armed with a Carl Gustav recoilless rifle. He took out an enemy armored car and a number of enemies before his jaw was shot to pieces. He had to keep out his tongue with one hand to get air, and bleeding severely, he manage to get himself and his shocked comrades back to safety.[3] Stålnacke was awarded the Royal Order of Vasa on 10 May 1962 for his bravery.[4]

Until spring 1963, Stålnacke had undergone 18 operations.[5] All in all he underwent 33 operations for his injuries. Though he was never fully recovered, he served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus during the years 1965 to 1968. After his time in the military, he ran a tavern in Helsingborg and the pension Pelikanen in Sälen until his retirement in 2003.[6] On the 29 May 2012, on the Swedish Veterans Day he was awarded with the Swedish Armed Forces Medal for Wounded in Battle. The medal was awarded because of the injuries he sustained in the battle in Congo on 14 September 1961.[7]

Personal life

He was living with his partner Marianne and he had a daughter, Susanne. His biggest interests included berry picking, fishing and hunting.[8] Stålnacke died in his home on 4 August 2012 and was buried on 24 August in Svappavaara cemetery.[2][9]

References

  1. ↑ "Tredjeplats för Stålis - lag i krävande 8-milaorientering" [Third place for Stålis - team in demanding 80 km orienteering] (PDF). The Blue Beret (in Swedish). 5 (51). Nicosia: Information Office of the United Nations Force in Cyprus. 3 April 1968. p. 3. LIBRIS 678282. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Kongoveteranen Torsten Stålnacke avliden" (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Löfgren, Claes J.B. (1990). Fredsknektarna: FN-svenskarna i Kongo 1960-64. Stockholm: Fischer. ISBN 91-7054-650-9. LIBRIS 7596424.
  4. ↑ Sjöstrand, Carl, ed. (2006). Utlandsstyrkan i fredens tjänst: försvarsmaktens internationella insatser (in Swedish). Malmö: Arena. p. 226. ISBN 91-7843-225-1. LIBRIS 10271824.
  5. ↑ FN-soldat i Kongo [UN soldier in Congo] (in Swedish). Gothenburg: Tryckeri-AB ConColor. 1963. p. 133. LIBRIS 545233.
  6. ↑ Fredsbaskern (PDF) (1). 2008 http://www.informera.se/Fredsbaskerannons/Fredsbaskern_nr1-08%20.pdf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ "Program - Veterandagen - 29 Maj 2012" [Program - Veteran's Day - 29 May 2012] (PDF) (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  8. ↑ Hägglund, Jarl; Hägglund, Kristina; Brege, Klas Göran; Brege, Ingrid; Allard, Lars-Olov; Allard, Marianne (20 August 2012). "Torsten Stålnacke". Dalarnas Tidningar (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  9. ↑ "TORSTEN Emanuel STÅLNACKE" (in Swedish). Finngraveb.se. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
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