In the history of Romania, there are heroic figures who shaped the nation’s destiny through courage, devotion, and sacrifice. Among these remarkable individuals stands Major Ion Coravu, one of the lesser-known heroes of World War I, who played a key role in one of the most important battles in the history of the Romanian Army — the Battle of Mărăști.

The story of a forgotten hero in Romanian history

Although his name is not always mentioned in history textbooks, his bravery was beyond measure, and his deeds have been preserved in the works of those who understood the true meaning of heroism. As a sign of gratitude, the city of Bucharest now honors his memory with a street that bears his name, keeping alive the remembrance of a young man who gave his life for his homeland.

Ion Coravu served as an infantry officer in the 3rd Dâmbovița Regiment No. 22, stationed in Târgoviște in the early decades of the 20th century. Beyond his military discipline, he distinguished himself through solid education, integrity, and a strong sense of duty, qualities that would make him a respected leader among his soldiers and comrades. 

He also worked as an instructor at the Nicolae Filipescu Military High School at Mănăstirea Dealu, where, as a lieutenant, he commanded a company of cadets. He was a model of dedication, seriousness, and courage — traits that would define both his career and his heroic end.

Romania’s entry into the war and the beginning of the fight

When Romania entered the First World War in August 1916, Ion Coravu returned to command the 9th Company of the 22nd Dâmbovița Regiment, ready to defend his country. His regiment took part in the campaign across the Carpathians into Transylvania, where they faced Austro-Hungarian forces in harsh and uneven battles.

After initial successes, the Romanian army was forced to retreat in the face of the Central Powers’ counteroffensive, and Coravu, alongside his men, fought bravely during the withdrawal from the Muscel region. The atmosphere of those dramatic days, filled with both courage and tragedy, was later evoked by Camil Petrescu in his novel The Last Night of Love, the First Night of War.

By the spring of 1917, the Romanian army had undergone a complete transformation. The bitter lessons of 1916 were followed by extensive reorganization: the soldiers were better trained, the equipment was modernized, and morale was lifted by King Ferdinand’s promises of agrarian and electoral reforms. 

The 2nd Romanian Army, in which Coravu served, now possessed aeronautical units, pioneer battalions, communication detachments, and even armored vehicles, used for the first time in battle.

Preparing for the Mărăști offensive

In the summer of 1917, under the command of General Alexandru Averescu, the Romanian army planned a major offensive meant to regain the initiative and restore confidence among the troops. The main target was the village of Mărăști, heavily fortified by Austro-Hungarian and German forces, a crucial stronghold on the front.

Captain Ion Coravu’s mission was of vital importance: with two companies under his command, he was to occupy the village of Mărăști, securing a path for the advancing Romanian troops.

On the night of July 24 (Old Style) / August 6 (New Style), 1917, at 3:45 a.m., the infantry assault began. The 3rd, 1st, and parts of the 6th Infantry Divisions had the objective of seizing the village, which had been bombarded heavily in the preceding days. The battle was fierce, as the village had been turned into a fortress by the enemy.

By 6:30 a.m., after intense fighting, Mărăști was captured. The Romanian artillery continued its bombardment to suppress the remaining resistance, while the infantry pressed forward, gradually taking control of the surrounding positions.

The last battle of hero Ion Coravu

After several hours of relentless fighting, Romanian troops managed to seize Teiuș Hill, a key defensive position. It was there, at the height of victory, that Captain Ion Coravu met his heroic end.

He was only 21 years old. In his monumental work The History of the War for the Unification of Romania (1916–1919), historian Constantin Kirițescu described the moment with profound emotion:

“On the evening of July 27, close to midnight, all the ridges were in Romanian hands. Two companies of the 22nd Regiment, misled by a treacherous guide, were trapped in a ravine, in the midst of powerful, well-fortified enemy positions. 

But their commander was Captain Coravu, the conqueror of the village of Mărăști. He placed himself at the head of the two companies and led the assault on Teiu Hill, in the first wave of attack, with a grenade in each hand and his pockets full. 

The soldiers of the two companies were decimated by the enemy’s crossfire. Coravu fell, riddled with bullets, leaving behind the imperishable memory of a true hero, a noble blend of lofty idealism, solid education, and fearless disregard for death.”

That night, 118 of his men also fell in battle. For his bravery and sacrifice, Ion Coravu was posthumously promoted to the rank of major and was laid to rest in the Mărășești Mausoleum, beside his fellow soldiers.

The Battle of Mărăști – the victory that changed Romania’s fate

The Battle of Mărăști was one of the greatest and most glorious military operations of the Romanian Army during the First World War. Under the command of General Averescu, the Romanian troops broke through enemy lines, forcing the German and Austro-Hungarian forces to retreat.

In his official report, General Averescu summarized the moral and strategic significance of the victory:

“The morale of the officers and soldiers of the 2nd Romanian Army rose tremendously, for the first time in eleven months since Romania entered the war, they saw the enemy fleeing before them, yielding ground, being captured as prisoners, and losing weapons, machine guns, and cannons.”

The results were impressive: 30 villages liberated, 500 square kilometers regained, 3,000 prisoners captured, and over 60 enemy cannons seized. At a time when the Romanian army desperately needed a moral victory, Mărăști became a symbol of national rebirth and courage.

The Mărășești Mausoleum – the temple of heroes

The memory of those who fell in the battle — including Major Ion Coravu — lives on through the Mărășești Mausoleum, built as a tribute to all who fought and died for Romania’s unification.

The idea of constructing the mausoleum emerged during the war, at the initiative of several officers from the 2nd Romanian Army, who founded the “Mărăști Society.” The foundation stone was laid on June 10, 1928, and over time, the monument became a national symbol of Romanian heroism.

Beneath its solemn dome lie the remains of more than 5,000 Romanian soldiers and officers, among them Ion Coravu, the young officer who proved that love of country can be stronger than the fear of death.

An immortal hero in the memory of the city

For his deeds of bravery, authorities decided that Ion Coravu’s name should live on in the collective memory, and a street in Bucharest was named after him. Today, anyone walking down Maior Ion Coravu Street, located in Sector 2 of the capital, treads symbolically in the footsteps of a hero who wrote a page of glory in Romania’s history with his own blood.

This street, now an important urban artery, is more than a simple name. It represents official recognition of the sacrifice of a man who placed his homeland above his own life.

Over the years, the victory at Mărăști has been celebrated by every political regime that governed Romania, being regarded as “the golden battle” of the Romanian Army. Regardless of the historical period or ideology, this triumph has remained a powerful symbol of national dignity and unity.

The legacy of Ion Coravu

Today, more than a century after his sacrifice, the story of Ion Coravu continues to inspire. He embodies the ideal of the young Romanian who loved his country more than his own life, as well as the spirit of an entire generation of heroes who understood that freedom must be earned through courage and sacrifice.

From a disciplined cadet at the Nicolae Filipescu Military High School to a fearless commander of the 22nd Dâmbovița Regiment, his path was short but full of meaning. Every step he took on the battlefield was a declaration of love for Romania.

When we pass today through Bucharest and see his name on a street sign, we should remember that it is not just a geographical designation but a lesson in courage, honor, and selflessness.

Major Ion Coravu was more than an officer in the Romanian Army. He was a symbol of a generation that fought for the national ideal, for Romania’s freedom and dignity. His death on the battlefield of Mărăști, at only 21 years old, stands as the ultimate proof of devotion to his country.

Although time has passed, his name must never fade into oblivion. Bucharest keeps his memory alive through the street that bears his name, while the Mărășești Mausoleum guards, in its solemn silence, the bravery of a man who gave everything for his homeland.

The story of Ion Coravu is not just a page of history, it is living testimony that true heroes never die. They live on through their deeds, through collective memory, and through the gratitude of a nation that does not forget its defenders.

We also recommend: „No one shall pass here!” General Eremia Grigorescu, the hero of World War I, rests in the Mausoleum at Mărășești