Sıtkı Üke (1876; Salonica (Thessaloniki) – 1941; Istanbul) was a Turkish career officer and politician. He was a major general of the Ottoman Army and the first head general of the Turkish Army. Sıtkı grew up in the same town as Atatürk, the founder of modern-day Turkey, who referred to Sıtkı as "big brother" and conferred on him the surname Üke, or "honor", during the establishment of the modern Turkish state. See also List of high-ranking commanders of the Turkish War of Independence Sources External links 1876 births 1941 deaths Politicians from Thessaloniki Macedonian Turks Republican People's Party (Turkey) politicians Deputies of Tokat Ottoman Army officers Turkish Army generals Ottoman military personnel of the Italo-Turkish War Ottoman military personnel of World War I Ottoman prisoners of war World War I prisoners of war held by the United Kingdom Turkish military personnel of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922) Ottoman Imperial School of Military Engineering alumni Recipients of the Medal of Independence with Red Ribbon (Turkey) Burials at Turkish State Cemetery Military personnel from Thessaloniki