Manolis Bikakis

Manolis Bikakis (Μανώλης Μπικάκης; March 10, 1954 – October 22, 1994) was a Greek commando during the Turkish invasion of 1974.

Biography
Manolis Ioannis Bikakis was born on 10 March 1954 in Amygdalos, Heraklion, Crete. He completed primary school in the village of Stoli in Heraklion. After fulfilling his military service, he worked as a construction worker. He was married with two children when he had died on 22 October 1994.

Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
Bikakis served with the Greek Alpha Raider Squadron (Later renamed to 35th Raider Squadron) which was secretly airlifted to Cyprus with Operation Niki during the night of 21st July 1974 and in the early morning of 22nd. The Alpha Raider Squadron had the objective to reinforce the ELDYK and Cypriot National Guard units the island and was assigned to the Nicosia International Airport. During the second phase of invasion launched on August 14, 1974, the Squadron was dispersed confronting the invading Turks in the area of Ayios Dhometios (Battle of Agios Dometios) where Bikakis had been ordered to provide anti-tank cover with a 90-mm M67 recoilless rifle. During the clashes, he was separated from his teammates who presumed him dead. Repeatedly changing his position, Bikakis fought against the enemy with his rocket. After the engagement, he was lost and tried to find the remains of his unit for 4 days, which he eventually found after a phone call he made with his unit commander.

Aftermath
Bikakis died in a car accident in 1994, while driving on the Athens-Patra National Highway.

The Greek government claimed that he knocked out 6 Turkish tanks and posthumously awarded him with the Medal of Gallantry in 2015, 41 years after the war had ended.