Cemal Madanoğlu

Cemal Madanoğlu (22 March 1907 – 28 July 1993) was a Turkish soldier and lieutenant general. Born in Izmir on 22 March 1907, he attended the Turkish Military Academy, and the Academy of High Command.

Cemal Madanoğlu was among the leaders of the 1960 Turkish coup d'état. He was asked to lead the coup by his subordinates as he was the only General that was willing to take lead. During the coup, he was asked by the Army general Ragıp Gümüşpala on the telephone if he was the most senior among the putschists. Ragıp Gümüşpala also said that he would not perform the putsch if no one that outranked himself was present. Madanoğlu bluffed that General Cemal Gürsel was their leader and he was on a flight to Ankara from İzmir. Before the coup, he made every subordinate swear an oath not to take part in ministerial office. However, during a meeting with Cemal Gürsel, he noticed the same subordinates were trying to put together a government that included themselves. According to Madanoğlu, he slapped the table and said: “ ''You jackals! Which of you understands finance, which of you understands trade, which of you understands economy, we are in this position because Menderes did the same.”''

After the coup, he released Democrat Party deputies and brought together Academicians from Istanbul University to provide the Junta with a roadmap back in to democracy. However, he then was advised by Professor Sıddık Sami Onar that the parliament should not be restored to power, and instead advised that they put Adnan Menderes and deputies of the Democrat Party on trial and enact structural reforms. Former President İsmet İnönü told him even if they were guilty there should be no execution. People would forget their crimes but would remember that they were hanged. After a slew of infighting in the military, he resigned.

In retirement, Lieutenant general Madanoğlu was involved in a coup plot that would complete what the 1960 Turkish coup d'état could not finish in the means of reforms. This plan failed when the National Intelligence Organization bugged his meetings. General Faruk Gürler feared that his fellow plotters were more left-leaning than he assumed. This coup plot caused the 1971 Turkish military memorandum. Madanoğlu was a prominent figure in left-wing politics.

Madanoğlu gave a series of interviews regarding his part in the Turkish military coup, 1960 to 32. Gün. He died on 28 July 1993 in Istanbul. He is buried in Karacaahmet Cemetery.