Richard Tesařík (1915-1967)

Personality in Military section

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Maj. Gen. Richard Tesařík was born on 3rd December 1915 in Prague. He was a hero of USSR, one of the main protagonists of Czechoslovak Foreign Anti-fascist military movement, the legendary leader of tank troops during World War II.

From 1921 his family lived in Příbram, where Richard attended primary and secondary school. He was an active member of gymnastics organisation Sokol. During the Nazi’s occupation, he fought in Czechoslovak military units in USSR. At first, he served as infantry and later led our tankists. He was important in many battles. He received highest Soviet Award – Hero of Soviet Union for participation on the deliberation of Kiev.

During Carpathian-Dukla operations he was severely wounded and lost one eye.

For his heroism on Eastern front he received award Československý válečný kříž 1939 (Czechoslovak War Cross 1939) five times, Československá vojenská pamětní medaile za zásluhy I. stupně (Czechoslovak Military Commemorative Medal of First Class), award Za chrabrost před nepřítelem (For Bravery Against Enemy), Řád Slovenského národního povstání (Award of Slovak National Uprising), Zlatou medaili čs. vojenského Řádu bílého lva Za vítězství (Gold medal of Czechoslovak Order of the White Lion for Victory), two Řády rudé hvězdy (The Order of The Red Star), polish Stříbrný kříž Řádu Virtuti Military (The War Order of Virtuti Militari) and many others.

At the beginning of 1950s relations between the highest representatives of army worsened, including Minister of Defence gen.  JUDr. Alexej Čepička. Tesařík was transferred to lower positions, prosecuted and kept in pre-trial detention in 1953. After Čepička’s withdrawal, Tesařík received May. Gen. rank. Yet, even so, he had problems with his line managers and in 1960 was discharged and as such his military career ended.

During his post-war period, Tesařík struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder connected to the war experience and atmosphere from the 1950s when he doubted whether his war hardships were worth it especially when he was imprisoned and had to go through political processes. The situation was deepening his life crisis as well as worsening his health state. He retired for health reasons in 1966 and died on 27th March 1967 on heart attack during his stay in Ústí nad Labem. Urn with his remains is kept in the family grave in Příbram.

Teasíř was the hero of USSR, one of the main protagonists of Czechoslovak Foreign Anti-fascist military movement, the legendary leader of tank troops during World War II. He’s connected to Central Bohemia Region, and to Příbram and Beroun in particular where he served at Infantry Regiment 38 before the war. After World War II. he also served in Milovice. His sons Richard and Vladimír became famous as pop-music singers and members of YO YO BAND.

Author: PaedDr. Josef Velfl, ředitel Hornického muzea Příbram