Yos Sudarso had always dreamt of becoming a soldier since he was a child, despite his parents’ wishes for him to become a teacher. He was able to fulfill this dream when the Japanese government required more military personnel for the Greater East Asia War.
He attended the Naval Academy in Semarang and received naval military education from the Japanese Navy, graduating as one of the top students. Yos Sudarso then served on a Japanese military ship.
Following the proclamation of Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945, he joined the People’s Security Agency in the marine sector (BKR Laut), which later became part of the Indonesian Navy.
Throughout his career, Yos Sudarso participated in various military operations to suppress insurgencies within the Republic of Indonesia. He commanded several Indonesian Navy Ships (KRI) such as KRI Rajawali, KRI Alu, KRI Gajah Mada, KRI Pattimura, and KRI Macan Tutul. Additionally, he served as a military court judge for four months in 1958.
In late 1961, President Sukarno initiated the Tri Komando Rakyat (TRIKORA), which involved an operation in the Aru Sea near Maluku to aid in the liberation of West Papua from the Dutch. Yos Sudarso, who was then Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (KSAL), participated in the operation. During this operation, three KRIs, including KRI Macan Tutul commanded by Yos Sudarso, were engaged in silent operations in the waters of Maluku.
When three large Dutch warships detected the movement of Yos Sudarso and the three KRI units, Yos Sudarso ordered a temporary retreat. However, the Dutch misinterpreted this maneuver as an attack and opened fire. Despite his best efforts, the engine of KRI Macan Tutul failed during the rescue attempt.
Yos Sudarso made a quick decision to sacrifice his own ship, KRI Macan Tutul, in order to save the other two KRIs. The Dutch warship struck KRI Macan Tutul, causing it to catch fire and eventually sink along with Yos Sudarso and 24 other crew members.
Yos Sudarso heroically gave his life in the line of duty for his country at only 36 years old, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and sacrifice.
