Monte Melkonian

Monte Melkonian was born on November 25, 1957, in Visalia, California. A brilliant student, he graduated from UC Berkeley with high honors in ancient Asian history and archaeology, mastering seven languages. Forsaking a promising academic doctorate at Oxford, he dedicated his life to the defense and self-determination of Armenian populations.

Arriving in Armenia in 1990, Melkonian was appointed commander of the Martuni defense region during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. Renowned for his strict discipline, prohibition of alcohol, and absolute ban on harming civilian captives, 'Avo' became a revered national hero before falling in battle in June 1993 at age thirty-five.