Stig Synnergren
General Stig Gustaf Eugén Synnergren (25 February 1915 – 29 April 2004) was a senior Swedish Army officer. Synnergren had an illustrious military career that began in 1939 as a second lieutenant. He played a pivotal role during World War II, serving in the Ski Battalion and conducting intelligence operations in Northern Norway after the German occupation of Narvik. His exceptional skills and experience led him to manage the evacuation of Norwegian refugees in Jokkmokk. Synnergren's rapid ascent through the ranks continued, including graduation from the Royal Swedish Army Staff College and various military studies abroad. He held teaching positions and became a major while heading the Tactics Department. Notably, he became the Chief of the Army Staff in 1963 and ultimately achieved the rank of Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces in 1967. During his tenure as Supreme Commander, Synnergren oversaw significant defense policy changes, including the abandonment of neutrality and the development of the Saab 37 Viggen aircraft. He also led reorganization efforts and cutbacks in the Army and Navy. Synnergren was widely associated with military intelligence, particularly during the exposure of the secret intelligence agency IB. Beyond his military career, Synnergren held various positions of trust in organizations such as the Swedish Tourist Association, Swedish Ski Association, and corporate boards. He also served on the board of the East Economic Office, a unique agency within Swedish military intelligence. Synnergren was famous for advancing from the rank of captain to becoming the "youngest general in the modern times" in just five years. Early life Synnergren was born on 25 February 1915 in Överluleå Parish, Boden Municipality, Sweden, the son of Gösta Synnergren, an engine driver, and his wife Sara (née Carlstén). His father was also a Social Democratic city councilman in Boden and his mother was a Social Democratic member of the child welfare committee. Synnergren's school years were marked by sports, physical education and outdoor recreation. He passed studentexamen in Luleå in 1936 with the grades A in physics and a in mathematics and chemistry. He was then admitted to the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. He had at this time no thought of becoming an officer. The turning point of his life happened during a fall day in 1936 during the Berlin Olympics in which Synnergren participated as a member of the Swedish gymnastics squad. The experience of Adolf Hitler, surrounded by the Third Reich throughout threatening paramilitary splendor changed Synnergren's choice of career. Like so many of his peers, he had a strong feeling that a new world war was imminent. He withdrew his application to the Royal Institute of Technology and decided to become an officer. In 1939, as World War II broke out, he finished first in his class at the Swedish Infantry Officer Candidate School at the Royal Military Academy. Career Military career Synnergren was commissioned as an officer with the rank of second lieutenant in 1939 and served in the Ski Battalion (I 19 K) in Kiruna during World