Paraschiv Vasilescu

Paraschiv Vasilescu (March 14, 1864 – 1925) was one of the generals of the Romanian Land Forces in the First World War. Between March 3, 1904 and April 1, 1905, Major Vasilescu was the commander of the Border Guard Corps. He served as a division commander in the 1916, 1917, and 1918 campaigns.

Biography
After graduating in 1885 from the military school of officers with the rank of second lieutenant, Vasilescu held various positions in the infantry units or in the upper echelons of the army, the most important being those of commander of the 3rd Infantry Regiment and of the 4th Territorial Corps.

During World War I, he served as commander of the 14th Infantry Division between 27 August 1916 and 2 November 1916 and the 1st Army, between 3 November 1916 and 24 November 1916. From January 1917 he served as Deputy Chief of the General Headquarters.

He was decorated with the Order of Michael the Brave, class III, for the way he led the 14th Infantry Division in the battles of the 1916 campaign, being one of the first generals decorated with this order (the second decree for generals, together with General Eremia Grigorescu).

"For the dexterity with which he led the troops under his command, opening the gorge from Toplița with a minimum of losses, giving excellent results."

After the war, Vasilescu held a number of important positions in the army, such as commander of the Army Corps and Inspector General of the Army.