Monte Melkonyan

Monte Melkonyan was born on 25 November 1957 in Visalia, California, USA (near Fresno). In 1978, he graduated from the History and Archeology Department of the Old Asian Nations at University of California, Berkeley. In 1978, he was admitted to Oxford University but did not continue his education; instead, he moved to civil war-torn Lebanon to participate in the self-defence of Beirut’s Armenian districts. Since May 1980, he was the main military trainer of the Armenian Secret Army for te Liberation of Armenia (ASALA). In 1983, he left the ASALA and established the ASALA-Revolutionary Movement. In October 1990, he joined the fight for defence of Artsakh. In the beginning of 1991, he founded the Patriotic squad. Since 1992, he was the commander of the Martuni Defence District. Melkonyan participated in the self-defence and liberation battles of Ijevan, Kapan, NKR’s Shahumyan district (Erkej, Buzlukh, Manashid, Karachinar), Martakert, Martuni districts. He directed the liberation operations of Martuni, Karvachar, Aghdam. He was killed on 12 June 1993 in Marzilu district (near Aghdam). Melkonyan was buried in Yerablur. The MOD military school carries his name. His monument is located in Martuni, NKR. In addition to books, a number of films have been produced about him. The Monte Melkonyan Foundation was founded in 1994. Lieutenant Colonel of the Armenian Army (posthumous, 1994). He was awarded the NKR Battle Cross Order of 1st degree (posthumous, 23.11.1993). National Hero of Armenia (posthumous, 20.09.1996). He was awarded the highest Order of the Republic of Armenia. Hero of Artsakh (21.09.1999). Awarded with Golden Eagle Order.