Yos Sudarso had always dreamed of becoming a soldier since he was a child, despite his parents’ preference for him to become a teacher. His dream came true when the Japanese government called for additional military personnel during the Greater East Asia War.
He attended the Naval Academy in Semarang and received naval military training with the Japanese Navy, graduating as one of the top students. Yos Sudarso went on to serve on a Japanese military ship.
After Indonesia declared 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 combat insurgencies within Indonesia. He commanded several Indonesian Navy Ships (KRI) including KRI Rajawali, KRI Alu, KRI Gajah Mada, KRI Pattimura, and KRI Macan Tutul. In 1958, he also served as a judge on a military court for four months.
In late 1961, President Sukarno initiated the Tri Komando Rakyat (TRIKORA), which involved an operation in the Aru Sea near Maluku to support the liberation of West Papua from the Dutch. Yos Sudarso, then serving as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (KSAL), led three KRIs in the covert operations in Maluku waters – KRI Macan Tutul, KRI Macan Kumbang, and KRI Harimau. Yos Sudarso commanded the KRI Macan Tutul.
When three large Dutch warships sensed the movements of Yos Sudarso and the three KRI units, they opened fire assuming a hostile intent. Despite the engine failure of KRI Macan Tutul, Yos Sudarso put his ship in harm’s way to shield the other two KRIs. The Dutch ship’s second shot struck KRI Macan Tutul, causing it to catch fire and sink.
Yos Sudarso, along with 24 men, lost their lives during the mission with KRI Macan Tutul in the Battle of the Aru Sea. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country at the age of just 36 years old.
