San Yu

Born Mar. 3, 1918, in Pyè. Burmese state, political, and military figure. General (1972). Participant in the struggle for independence.

A graduate of the University of Rangoon, San Yu commanded the North and Northwest military districts. After a military revolutionary government came to power in 1962, he became a member of the ruling body, the Revolutionary Council. Between 1963 and 1972 he held the posts of deputy chief of the general staff of the armed forces and minister of national planning, finance, and revenue. While serving as deputy prime minister from 1972 to 1974 he was minister of defense and chief of the general staff of the armed forces. In 1974, after the adoption of a new constitution, San Yu became secretary of the Council of State. He helped found the Burma Socialist Program Party and served as general secretary of the party’s Central Committee from 1965 to 1981. San Yu retired from military service in 1978.