Edward Wellington Pahala "Tam" Tambunan (popularly misspelled as Edward Waldemar Pahala Tambunan) (14 January 1928 — 17 January 2006) was an Indonesian military figure and politician who became the Governor of North Sumatra from 1978 until 1983. Early life Tambunan was born on 14 January 1928 in the small town of Balige, North Sumatra. He began his education in the Hollandsch-Inlandsche School (Dutch school for native students), and continued his studies at the Agricultural Junior High School. Military career Tambunan joined the Indonesian Army in 1945, when he became the squad commander in Sidoarjo. The same year, he was promoted as a platoon commander. He moved to Malang, and became a military staff member in the city. In 1946, he moved to Bojonegoro, where he joined TLRI (Sea Army of the Republic of Indonesia, a non-sailor unit inside the Indonesian Navy, similar to marines) from 1946 until 1948. He became the commander of the 3rd Battalion of the 19th Ressort of the TLRI from 1947 until 1948. After the TLRI was merged into the Indonesian Army, he rejoined the army and was involved in beach defense and the defense of Tuban from 1948 until 1950,. He also became a member of the Indonesian delegation in a local joint committee between the Indonesian Army and the Dutch Army, which was formed in 1950. During the Indonesian National Revolution, Tambunan fought against the Dutch in various battles, such as in the Operation Product, Operation Kraai as well as in the Darul Islam rebellion, and the Madiun Affair. After the revolution, Tambunan was active as a company commander in the 5th Military Regional Command/Brawijaya from 1949 until 1952. In 1952, he enrolled as a student at the Special Infantry Course, and from 1956 until 1957, he studied at the Indonesian Army Command and General Staff College. After graduating from the college, he became a teacher for military subjects and was involved in the research and development section of the Indonesian Army. In 1961, Tambunan, along with Antonius Josef Witono, became the first officers from Indonesia to attend Australian Staff College in 1961. During his time in the college, he was known as Tam Tambunan and was known by his hobby of collecting Australian idioms. He graduated from the college in 1962. Upon his return to Indonesia, Tambunan became a mentor to Australian Lieutenant Colonel Colin East when he attended as the first Australian