Commander Virgil Alexandru Dragalina (1890-1980) in the Mission on the Dniester Border 1918-1919

Commander Virgil Alexandru Dragalina, son of a hero, general Ioan Dragalina (1860-1916), opted for a military career in the Navy. He performed various functions in the Danube Flotilla and the Sea Division. He spent the last part of his active life in the Romanian Maritime Service. Between 1918-1919 he commanded the Dniester Squadron, carrying out defense missions against Bolshevik gangs. With the star ships of the unit and other ships taken from the Dniester, he carried out decisive missions in the defense of the Dniester border. An essential mission, masterfully accomplished, was to ensure the withdrawal of the French Army of the Danube from southern Russia to Moldova. Present day and night on the Dniester, the Dniester Squadron ensured control of navigation on the river and defense against Bolshevik enemies.