Jonas Wærn

Carl Jonas Wærn (23 July 1915 – 6 November 2003) was a Swedish Army officer best known for having commanded Swedish, Irish, and Indian peacekeeping troops during the Congo Crisis. He also commanded Swedish forces in Cyprus in 1964. Wærn is one of only two Swedish officers (the other being Brigadier General Jan-Gunnar Isberg) who have served as brigade commanders in combat under the auspices of the United Nations. Later, he served as '' aide-de-camp'' to King Gustaf VI Adolf and as cabinet chamberlain.

Wærn embarked on a military career beginning in 1936, eventually becoming a captain in the Värmland Regiment by 1945. Throughout World War II, he served as a ranger platoon leader at the Norway–Sweden border. His military assignments ranged from deputy military attaché in Copenhagen to commanding battalions in the Congo during the early 1960s as part of the United Nations Operation. After his service in the Congo, he continued his career in various roles, including commander of the Swedish UN Battalion in Cyprus. Wærn's leadership style was noted for its emphasis on treating soldiers with care and respect. He chronicled his experiences in books such as ''Katanga'' and ''Cyprus'', which contributed to his recognition as a significant military figure in Sweden.

Early life

Wærn was born on 23 July 1915 in Spånga, Sweden, the son of lawyer Olof Wærn and the journalist (née Rehn). He passed '' studentexamen'' in 1934.

Career

Military career

Wærn became a reserve officer in 1936 and an officer in 1940. He was commissioned as an officer into Värmland Regiment (I 2) in 1941. During World War II he served as a ranger platoon leader at the Norway–Sweden border. He was promoted to captain in Värmland Regiment in 1945, and attended the Royal Swedish Army Staff College in 1947. Wærn served as deputy military attaché in Copenhagen in 1948 and as second teacher at the Swedish Infantry Combat School the same year. Wærn attended the School of Infantry in Warminster, England in 1950 and served in Värmland Regiment (I 2) in 1951. Wærn served in the Army Staff in 1955 and in Västerbotten Regiment (I 20) in 1956 and was promoted to major the same year. He was first teacher at Infantry Combat School in 1957 and the same year he was appointed ADC to King Gustaf VI Adolf.

Wærn held an acting rank of colonel and served as commander of the XII K Battalion from June 1961 to December 1961 and of the XIV K Battalion from December 1961 to May 1962 in Congo. At the same time, he was brigade commander of the Swedish, Indian and Irish troops in southern Katanga, which was part of the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) from June 1961 to May 1962. On 12 May 1962, Wærn left the Congo and returned to Sweden. Back in Sweden, Wærn served as section chief of the staff of the IV Military District in 1962. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1962 and was assigned to Northern Småland Regiment in Eksjö between 1962 and 1969. Wærn served as commander of the Swedish UN Battalion in Cyprus in 1964, part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). He then served as infantry commander of the Stockholm Coastal Artillery Defence (''Stockholms kustartilleriförsvar'') in 1966.

Bo Pellnäs wrote the following about Wærn: "At its core, Wærn's leadership was characterized by words of wisdom uttered in China over four thousand years ago: 'Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death'."

Later life

Wærn continued serving as '' aide-de-camp'' in His Majesty's Military Staff until 1973. In 1974 he was appointed cabinet chamberlain. Wærn continue to be active at the court as governor of Gripsholm Castle and Strömsholm Palace from 1975 to 1983. In 1976 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Wærn was a member of the Samfundet SHT, the Charles John Association (''Karl Johans förbundet''), and the , a Swedish association of friends to the in Pau, France.

Wærn has recounted his experiences in the books ''Katanga'' (1980) and ''Cyprus'' (1995). In spring 1998, the TV program did a viewing poll about the century's most significant Swedish books. Wærn's book about Katanga was placed in 84th place out of 100 titles.

Personal life

In 1939, Wærn married the royal housekeeper Lissie Ehnström (1916–2012), the daughter of Axel Ehnström and Stina Larsdotter. He was the father of Stina (born 1942), Olof (born 1944), Peder (1950–1998) and Lotta (born 1957).

Death

Wærn died on 6 November 2003. The funeral service took place on 21 November 2003 in the Royal Chapel in Stockholm. He was interred on 12 December 2003 in the family grave at Norra begravningsplatsen in Solna Municipality.

Dates of rank

*???? – Second lieutenant
*???? – Lieutenant
*1945 – Captain
*1956 – Major
*1962 – Lieutenant colonel
*1961 – Colonel (acting rank)

Awards and decorations

Swedish

* King Gustaf VI Adolf's Commemorative Medal (29 August 1967)
* Knight of the Order of the Sword (1958)
* Knight of the Order of Vasa (6 June 1969)
* Home Guard Medal of Merit in gold
* Värmland Officers Association's Silver Medal (''Värmlands befälsförbunds silvermedalj'')
* Army Shooting Medal (''Arméns skyttemedalj'')

Foreign

* Officer of the Legion of Honour
* United Nations Medal (ONUC; Congo)
* United Nations Medal ( UNFICYP; Cyprus)
* United Nations Emergency Force Medal
* Italian Red Cross' Silver Medal

Bibliography

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References

External links

Interview with colonel Jonas Wærn

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waern, Jonas
1915 births
2003 deaths
Swedish Army colonels
Military personnel from Stockholm
People of the Congo Crisis
Knights of the Order of the Sword
Burials at Norra begravningsplatsen