Yos Sudarso had always wanted to be a soldier since he was a child, despite his parents’ preference for him to become a teacher. He fulfilled 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 training with the Japanese Navy, graduating as one of the top students. Subsequently, he served on a Japanese military ship.
Following Indonesia’s 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 quell insurgencies within Indonesia. He commanded several Indonesian Navy Ships (KRI), such as KRI Rajawali, KRI Alu, KRI Gajah Mada, KRI Pattimura, and KRI Macan Tutul. In 1958, he also served as a military court judge for four months.
In late 1961, President Sukarno initiated Tri Komando Rakyat (TRIKORA), including an operation in the Aru Sea near Maluku to support the liberation of West Papua from the Dutch. Yos Sudarso, then 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, with him commanding KRI Macan Tutul.
Three Dutch warships with full armament detected the movement of Yos Sudarso and the three KRI units in the Aru Sea. Despite Yos Sudarso’s order for the KRIs to retreat, the Dutch misinterpreted it as an attack maneuver and opened fire.
While attempting a rescue, the engine of KRI Macan Tutul, led by Yos Sudarso, suddenly malfunctioned. Realizing he couldn’t save his ship, Yos Sudarso positioned it as a shield between the Dutch warships and the other two KRIs, allowing them to escape. The second shot from the Dutch vessel hit KRI Macan Tutul, causing it to catch fire and sink.
Yos Sudarso, along with 24 others, perished in the battle of the Aru Sea with KRI Macan Tutul. At the age of 36, he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in the line of duty.
