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Major Marinus Johannes "Marco" Kroon, RMWO (born 15 July 1970), is a Dutch officer serving with the Korps Commandotroepen. Kroon is one of only three living knights 4th class of the Military Order of William and the first new member appointed to this Dutch Order in over half a century.[1][2] The Military William Order is the highest honour in the Netherlands, bestowed for "performing excellent acts of Bravery, Leadership and Loyalty in battle".[3]

Key Information

Personal life

[edit]

Marinus Johannes Kroon was born on 15 July 1970 in Den Bosch in the Netherlands. He graduated the Sint-Janslyceum [nl], high school, in 1989. He still lives in Den Bosch with his girlfriend who runs a café. Besides his full-time job in the military, Kroon often helps her with her work.

Kroon also graduated from the Koninklijke Militaire School (Royal Military School, which trains NCO's) in Weert, and from the Koninklijke Militaire Academie (Royal Military Academy, which trains officers) in Breda.

Military career

[edit]

Marines

[edit]

After graduating from high school in 1989, Kroon started his military career as a Marine in the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. In 1991 he was dispatched for Operation Provide Comfort, a humanitarian operation for Kurds in northern Iraq. After this he was transferred for a year to the Marine Barracks Savaneta in Aruba. In 1993 he was sent out a second time as assistant section leader in a Marine platoon for the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in Cambodia.

Army

[edit]

After this mission in Cambodia he transferred to the Army where he started training for a position as an NCO at the Koninklijke Militaire School in Weert. After graduating he became squad leader at the 17th Armoured Infantry Battalion in Oirschot. With this unit he left for a mission in Bosnia for six months leading an infantry group.

In 1998 he transferred to the Korps Commandotroepen (Corps of Commando Troops) in Roosendaal. After successfully earning his Green Beret he fulfilled a management position in the corps. In 2000 he once again left for Bosnia, this time as a member of the Joint Commissioned Observer mission. After this mission he left again for the Koninklijke Militaire Academie (Royal Military Academy) in Breda, to become an officer. After graduation he returned to his unit, the 17th Armoured Infantry Battalion, and left for Bosnia for the third time, now as platoon commander, in the Stabilization Force (SFOR) mission.

In 2004 he returned to the Special Forces in Roosendaal as platoon commander at the 108th Commando Company. Here he had several management positions and was dispatched once again to Iraq in 2004 for mission Stabilisation Force Iraq and three times to Afghanistan (2005, 2006 en 2007).

After that Kroon became a staff officer at the intelligence centre of the special forces, training other commandos, testing equipment and tactical procedures.

On 12 July 2012, Kroon received a new command as company commander of the Charley Company of the 17th Mechanized Infantry Battalion 'Prinses Irene' Fusilier Guards Regiment based in Oirschot.[4][5]

On 4 November 2013, Kroon returned to the Korps Commandotroepen (Corps of Commando Troops) in Roosendaal.

On 24 February the Telegraaf newspaper published an article about Kroon. It claimed that Captain Kroon would be joining the Dutch mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Based in Gao, in a staff function as a planner for the 105th Commando Troop Compagny, his job will be mainly planning long range reconnaissance missions. This news was confirmed by the commander of the Korps Commando Troepen, Colonel Jan Swillens.[6]

In November 2014 Kroon was promoted to major and assigned to the Land Training Centre in Amersfoort.

Military William Order

[edit]
Kroon being awarded by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

From March 2006, to August 2006, Kroon, then a lieutenant, was dispatched to the Afghan province of Uruzgan. His job, as platoon commander of the Dutch special forces unit "Viper", was to reconnoiter and to map the area so that Task Force Uruzgan could be established.[1] In this period he distinguished himself by exceptional deeds during six extremely dangerous actions which broke out during ISAF patrols by "Viper" and a platoon of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment.[1]

Previously knighted members of the Military William Order attending the presentation ceremony on 29 May 2009.

One of these actions was Operation Chitag (13–14 July 2006). During the patrol, Kroon encountered a group of Taliban fighters. In the ensuing battle, while the Dutch troops were heavily outnumbered, Kroon was forced to request air support on his own position by a Lockheed AC-130 gunship; he ordered his men to take cover and with his Forward Air Controller (FAC) guided the American air attack. At such close quarters, however, it was a harrowing experience for Kroon and his FAC. Later, his platoon was forced to take cover in an Afghan house, whence they repulsed repeated attacks during the night. No men fell under Kroon's command, but the resulting Taliban losses were severe.[7] After the dawn, Kroon and his men emerged to retrieve intelligence from the dead Taliban to establish their identity. Kroon disciplined his men after noticing their agitation and inclination toward unprofessional behaviour (he later said that he understood the behaviour of his men but, as their leader, felt himself responsible for ensuring that the platoon acted professionally); he then ordered the wounded to be treated and the enemy dead to be covered. Kroon's superior officers later commended his leadership and ability to correct a battle-hardened group of commandoes.[8]

These actions and his general behaviour as a leader were the reason both his subordinates and his superiors nominated Kroon for bestowal of the Military Order. The Ministry of Defence, after three years' research, recommended to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands that Kroon be awarded the Military William Order for bravery shown during commando actions in Uruzgan.[9] Queen Beatrix made Kroon a Knight (fourth class) of the Military William Order on 29 May 2009: the first time in 54 years that the honour had been given to an individual.[10]

Killing incident

[edit]

Early 2018 it became public that the public prosecutor (OM) had started an investigation regarding an incident from 2007 in Afghanistan, where Kroon was involved.[11]

Kroon stated that he had killed an enemy, who during an earlier secret operation, had captured him and had subjected him to brutal interrogations, mistreatment and humiliation. In November 2018, Kroon stated for the first time that he had also been raped.[12] After he was released for reasons unclear to Kroon, he wanted to take the man prisoner in turn. When he coincidentally encountered the man again, the man reached for a firearm, upon which Kroon shot and killed the man. Kroon kept the incident to himself due to the secrecy of the operation. He only reported the incident to the DoD early 2017, which informed the public prosecutor in January 2018.[13][14]

In reaction to the publication by Kroon the TV programme Nieuwsuur started an investigation. The uncovered facts were to be published 24 February. The findings were presented to the DoD for comment. Upon this minister Bijleveld has strongly urged the editor of the show not to publish as some facts and details could endanger people's lives.[15] In 2007, Kroon was on an intelligence gathering mission in the Afghan capital Kabul.[16]

Criminal investigation and conviction

[edit]

In January 2010, Kroon and his girlfriend (aged 34) were named in a drugs case in The Netherlands.[17] According to publications he was suspected of possession of drugs and of violating the gun law. A police investigation, which was sustained after two interrogations, was said to be focusing on the café named café Vinny's that he was running in the city of Den Bosch.[18][19] The patrons were suspected of using cocaine in the café.[20] The Koninklijke Marechaussee (Dutch military police) and the Public Prosecutor confirmed the suspicion.[21][22][23] The investigations in the case started in October 2009 and in December 2009, four other suspects had been arrested.[24][25]

Kroon and his lawyer Geert-Jan Knoops denied all accusations and announced their own investigation.[26][27][28][29][30] According to Kroon, he is the victim of defamation. He points out that he received several anonymous mails with threats, one of them saying: "From hero to zero".[31][32][33][34][35]

According to two sources, the Dutch Ministry of Defence was aware of the alleged reputation of Kroon's pub before he received his award for bravery in Afghanistan.[36][37] The source of the accusations was believed to be an unmentioned police informer.[38]

The publications on the suspicion of Kroon not only led to comments on the legitimacy of his award and speculations as to his professional position, but also to criticism directed at the mentioning of his full name by the press, which is uncommon in The Netherlands in crime reporting as it is considered to be an infringement of a suspect's personal privacy, related to the presumption of innocence.[39][40][41]

In March 2010, Kroon's lawyer told a Dutch television programme that Kroon actually wanted his bar to be drugs-free and that he had thrown customers out who did not respect this policy.[42]

On 20 September 2010, the Office of the Attorney General officially announced that Kroon would be prosecuted and was suspected of 'possession and provision of some (in the Netherlands illegal) electroshock weapons and possession of small quantities of hard drugs for personal use'.

The trial was held before the military panel of the Arnhem court, which consists of two professional judges of the Arnhem court of which one presides the panel, and one general officer who does not belong to the judiciary. It started on 29 November 2010.[43][44] Court hearings were held on 4, 5, 11 and 12 April 2011 in Arnhem.[45][46] The verdict of the military panel of the Arnhem court was on 22 April 2011.[47] Kroon was sentenced a EUR 750 fine and a conditional 80 hours of community service for possession and provision of electroshock weapons. Kroon was acquitted on the drugs related charges.[48][49] Kroon will not be dismissed from the military (this would be the case if he had been convicted for using hard drugs; the Dutch Ministry of Defence has a strict no-drugs policy).[50] Furthermore, Kroon will keep his knighthood; revocation only occurs if sentenced to prison for more than one year.[50][51] The Dutch Ministry of Defence reported that it perused the verdict and will wait out the period in which the Office of the Attorney General or Kroon can appeal the verdict.[52] Kroon announced that he would voluntarily resign his knighthood if he was convicted for drugs related charges by the appellate court.[53] On 2 May 2011 the Office of the Attorney General refrained to seek an appeal.[54] Immediately after the legal procedure ending the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced they will consult Kroon in the near future regarding his career wishes and possibilities. Such consultations and consequent posting changes are normal procedure for all Dutch military personnel. According to his lawyer, Kroon aspires a new military mission, this after his current administrative posting.[55]

[edit]

On 13 July 2012, Geert-Jan Knoops (Kroon's lawyer) announced that Kroon will seek compensatory damages from the Dutch government after being prosecuted by the attorney-general of the Netherlands for possession of drugs. Knoops indicated that Kroon primarily wants an apology from the AG Office and that he had been negotiating with them for a year over this, but that a voluntary apology was not forthcoming. In lieu of this apology, Kroon has instructed Knoops to file a suit for unjust prosecution and is seeking compensatory damages for damage done to his reputation as well as for the loss of his cafe (which Kroon claims he had to sell at a loss because the public trial drove customers away).[56][57][58]

Honours and medals

[edit]
Marco Kroon taking the knighthood oath during the presentation ceremony of the Military William Order on 29 May 2009

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Marco Kroon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Major Marinus Johannes "Marco" Kroon (born 15 July 1970 in 's-Hertogenbosch) is a Dutch officer and one of the few living recipients of the Military William Order, the ' oldest and highest military decoration, awarded to him on 29 May 2009 by Queen Beatrix for exceptional acts of courage, policy, and loyalty during a clandestine mission in in 2007, marking the first such honor since the . Kroon's career began in 1989 with the Korps Mariniers, transitioning to the Royal and joining the elite in 1998, where he excelled as the top graduate of his commando training course; his deployments include multiple tours in Bosnia, , , and , culminating in his promotion to major in 2014 and current role as staff officer for veterans' affairs since 2020. While his battlefield valor has cemented his status as a national military icon, Kroon has encountered post-service legal challenges, including a 2010 acquittal for possession linked to earlier incidents and investigations into altercations such as a 2018 bar confrontation and a 2025 physical intervention at a public event, reflecting a complex public persona amid unwavering recognition of his service.

Early Life and Background

Family Origins and Upbringing

Marinus Johannes Kroon was born on 15 July 1970 in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. Kroon's family background featured notable military ties, particularly through his grandfather, who served as a British soldier and held service medals. Both his grandfather and father served as primary role models, shaping his early interest in military service. From childhood, Kroon exhibited a strong fascination with World War II, devouring books on the conflict and expressing a desire to enlist as a soldier. He was raised in 's-Hertogenbosch, a city in province, where familial emphasis on military valor contributed to his formative years.

Education and Early Influences

Marinus Johannes Kroon was born on 15 July 1970 in 's-Hertogenbosch, , and raised in the working-class Graafsewijk neighborhood of the city. His father worked as a tiler, reflecting a modest family background that emphasized and practical skills. Kroon completed his secondary education at the Sint-Janslyceum, a local high school in 's-Hertogenbosch, earning a HAVO in 1989. HAVO, a five-year pre-university preparatory program, provided a foundation in general academics but did not lead to immediate higher education pursuits for Kroon, who instead pursued a path directly after graduation. Key early influences shaping his interest in the military included his British grandfather, a veteran who served as a liberator of the and whose medals Kroon cherished as symbols of heroism. A local war monument in 's-Hertogenbosch further fueled his curiosity about and service, making enlistment an inevitable choice rather than a deliberate deliberation. These elements instilled a sense of duty and intrigue with combat narratives from an early age.

Military Enlistment and Training

Initial Service in the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps

Marco Kroon enlisted in the (Korps Mariniers) in 1989 following his high school graduation, marking the start of his military career. He underwent the standard initial training program for enlisted , which lasts approximately 33 weeks and emphasizes amphibious operations, combat skills, and physical endurance, culminating in his qualification as a general marine (marinier algemeen) on August 7, 1989. During his initial service, Kroon participated in early international deployments with Marine units, including operations in in 1991 as part of humanitarian efforts following the and a mission to in 1992 under the Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). These assignments involved and stabilization tasks in volatile environments, reflecting the Corps' role in rapid-response amphibious and expeditionary operations. Kroon served in the until 1994, after which he transitioned to the Royal Netherlands Army.

Transition to Special Forces

Following his initial enlistment in the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps in August 1989, Kroon served for over four years until January 1994, gaining foundational combat and amphibious training as a marine. He then transferred to the Royal Netherlands Army, advancing to status and joining an battalion, where he served as a , including a six-month deployment to Bosnia with the 17th Armoured Battalion in . In 1998, motivated by prior operational experience including Bosnia, Kroon applied for and passed the rigorous selection test for the (KCT), the Dutch Army's special forces unit based in . As a 28-year-old , he completed the demanding commando training course, earning the unit's distinctive and being selected as honor graduate for his performance. This transition marked Kroon's shift from conventional forces to elite special operations, enabling specialized roles in , , and command. Subsequently, he attended the Royal Military Academy, commissioning as an officer while remaining with the KCT, which positioned him for high-risk deployments such as those in in 2004 and starting in 2005.

Combat Deployments and Operations

Key Missions in Afghanistan

Marco Kroon, serving with the (KCT), participated in three deployments to between 2005 and 2007. These operations involved , against Taliban insurgents, and support for broader Dutch-led Task Force Uruzgan efforts in southern . From March to August 2006, Kroon commanded a platoon in the Special Forces Task Group Viper, a joint unit of Dutch commandos and deployed to to conduct initial and mapping ahead of the full establishment of Task Force Uruzgan. Task Group Viper executed dozens of high-risk missions, including patrols and engagements to disrupt insurgent activities in areas such as the Chora Valley and villages like Surkh Murgab. These operations often involved collaboration with Australian (SASR) elements during the 2006 Dutch-Australian offensive, targeting Taliban strongholds to secure key terrain. During his time as platoon commander in Uruzgan, Kroon led forces in at least 16 armed clashes with fighters, demonstrating repeated initiative in combat scenarios that prioritized and mission objectives. Viper's activities focused on intelligence gathering, targeted raids, and area denial, contributing to the stabilization efforts that enabled subsequent conventional force deployments. Kroon's leadership in these missions emphasized small-unit tactics suited to the rugged terrain and asymmetric threats posed by insurgents.

The 2007 Engagement and Heroic Actions

During his deployment with the Dutch Special Operations Task Group Viper in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan from 2006 to 2007, Captain Marco Kroon served as platoon commander, conducting reconnaissance and mapping operations to support the establishment of Uruzgan. In this role, he led his unit in numerous high-risk missions against insurgents, demonstrating exceptional leadership and personal courage. Kroon's platoon engaged in armed combat with fighters on 16 documented occasions, surviving multiple heavy attacks through his professional, inventive, and inspiring command decisions. Despite sustaining injuries and operating under conditions of extreme exhaustion, he ensured mission continuity, prioritizing the safety and effectiveness of his subordinates while inflicting significant casualties on enemy forces. These actions exemplified the qualities recognized in his conferral of the Military William Order, the Dutch military's highest honor for bravery. A specific incident from a secret operation in 2007, publicly reported by Kroon in 2017, involved his alleged capture by insurgents, during which he claimed to have been tortured and sexually assaulted before escaping. Kroon further stated that, in subsequent weeks, he identified and killed the insurgent responsible during a targeted raid. Dutch prosecutors investigated the use of lethal force but declined to prosecute in 2018, citing insufficient evidence, the passage of time, and operational secrecy constraints. The Ministry of Defense separately reviewed mission records and found no corroborating evidence for the abduction, though Kroon's overall combat leadership remained affirmed by official commendations unrelated to this unreported event.

Awards, Honors, and Recognition

Conferral of the Military William Order

On 29 May , Captain Marco Kroon was invested as a Fourth Class in the Military William Order by Queen Beatrix during a ceremony at the in . The event marked the first conferral of the order to an individual soldier since 1952, breaking a long hiatus in personal awards that had previously been limited to units or posthumous honors. The Military William Order, established by King William I on 30 April 1815, is the Kingdom of the Netherlands' highest military decoration, bestowed for exceptional acts of courage, leadership, and loyalty in combat. Kroon's award followed a two-and-a-half-year investigation by the Chapter of the Military William Order into his command of a commando platoon during operations in , , particularly highlighting his decisions under intense enemy fire in 2007. During the ceremony, Kroon recited the knight's oath pledging fidelity to the King, , and the order's principles, after which Queen Beatrix performed the traditional with a . Surviving previous of the order attended, underscoring the rarity and prestige of the honor, as only a handful of living recipients existed at the time. The conferral elevated Kroon to the rank of , entailing obligations such as maintaining the order's standards and potential ceremonial duties.

Other Military Decorations and Their Contexts

Kroon received multiple service medals for his international deployments to regions including the , , and , as standard recognition for Dutch personnel participating in such operations. These awards emphasize cumulative operational experience and unit-level contributions rather than singular acts of valor, distinguishing them from the Military William Order. Specific examples encompass long service honors and foreign deployment recognitions, reflecting over three decades of in the . Unlike bravery-focused decorations such as the Bronzen Leeuw or Bronzen Kruis—awarded to other commandos for distinct combat merits—Kroon's supplementary honors align with routine commendations for officers with extensive mission profiles. No additional valor-based military decorations have been documented or conferred publicly for Kroon beyond the Military William Order, highlighting its singular status in his record amid a career marked by classified operations.

2010 Drug Possession Case and Sentencing

In late 2009, Dutch police initiated an investigation into suspected drug and arms trafficking at café Vinny's in 's-Hertogenbosch, prompted by tips from informants. Four individuals were arrested in December 2009, followed by the questioning of Marco Kroon and his then-girlfriend on January 29, 2010. During the probe, authorities discovered traces of on Kroon's clothing and in samples of his chest hairs, alongside four prohibited electroshock weapons (stroomstootwapens) at his residence. Kroon faced charges in the military court for possession of and for the illegal possession and distribution of the stun guns, which are restricted in the to specific professional uses. He admitted to owning and transferring the weapons but denied knowledge or possession of the drugs, attributing any use to his girlfriend and stating he only learned of it after her police . The prosecution argued the cocaine traces indicated personal involvement, while Kroon maintained he had never actively used drugs. The trial occurred before the military chamber of the District on April 4 and 5, 2011, with the verdict delivered on April 22, 2011. The acquitted Kroon of cocaine possession, ruling that the evidence— including forensic traces—did not sufficiently prove he had the drugs available for his own use or control. However, he was convicted on the weapons charges, as he acknowledged awareness of their illegality. The prosecution had sought 120 hours of for both offenses combined, but the imposed a €750 fine and a conditional 80-hour sentence, with no time. The Public Prosecution Service reviewed the ruling and opted against an appeal on May 1, 2011, concluding that a higher would likely uphold the on drugs after thorough examination of the judgment. The outcome allowed Kroon to retain his military position at the , as the zero-tolerance policy on drugs did not apply due to the .

Reexamination of the 2007 Killing Incident

In January 2018, the Dutch Public Prosecutor's Office (Openbaar Ministerie, OM) initiated an investigation into Marco Kroon's use of lethal force during a classified intelligence operation in , , in 2007. The probe focused on whether Kroon had committed or excessive by killing an unidentified man, an incident he had not reported contemporaneously to preserve operational secrecy. Kroon, then a , described recognizing the man as his captor from an earlier abduction during the same deployment, where he claimed to have been subjected to severe physical interrogation, beating, humiliation, and . Upon re-encountering the individual, Kroon stated he acted in reflex, firing his entire magazine at close range, asserting it was a matter of "him or me" in immediate . The investigation drew due to the decade-long delay in disclosure and the lack of immediate corroboration from Kroon's unit, raising questions about the veracity of the prior claim. In May , the reviewed mission records and found no evidentiary support for Kroon's abduction narrative, concluding it could not verify the events as described. Despite this, the OM suspended its criminal probe in July after determining insufficient indications of any punishable offense, effectively closing the case without charges. Kroon maintained that withholding details initially was necessary to safeguard ongoing activities, a position that aligned with protocol for covert operations but complicated post-facto validation. The reexamination highlighted tensions between operational secrecy and accountability in high-risk deployments, with Kroon's Military William Order—awarded in 2009 for separate combat valor in Uruzgan—remaining unaffected, as the incident was extraneous to those citations. Critics within military circles urged restraint in public disclosures to avoid compromising comrade safety, while Kroon's account, though unprosecutable, persisted without independent forensic or eyewitness substantiation beyond his testimony. No further official reviews have been conducted as of 2025, leaving the episode as a point of unresolved debate regarding self-reported wartime actions.

2025 Liberation Day Confrontation and Charges

On May 5, 2025, during the National Commemoration of in , , a group of activists disrupted proceedings by protesting during a speech by Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans, reportedly displaying pro-Palestinian banners and attempting to interfere with the WWII liberation remembrance event. Major Marco Kroon, present at the event, physically intervened by grabbing and dragging one protester away from the stage area, thereby halting the disruption and allowing the commemoration to continue. Kroon later stated that his actions stemmed from military training and an instinctive response, noting, "That's how I'm formed and trained," in reference to protecting the integrity of the solemn occasion. The five arrested protesters, who were removed by and police, subsequently filed charges against Kroon on May 12, 2025, alleging mishandling and claiming one sustained a minor scrape wound during the intervention. Their argued that Kroon's use of force constituted unlawful disruption of a peaceful demonstration, though the protesters' intent appeared tied to linking the liberation theme to contemporary geopolitical issues, which organizers deemed inappropriate for the historical context. Dutch prosecutors reviewed the incident and, on July 8, 2025, decided against pursuing charges or prosecution against Kroon, determining that his intervention did not meet the threshold for criminal liability, particularly given the context of maintaining order at a national memorial without excessive force. This outcome aligned with accounts from eyewitnesses and video footage showing the brief, targeted nature of Kroon's actions amid the protesters' unauthorized intrusion. The episode drew public support for Kroon in Dutch media, framing it as a defense of commemorative against politicized interruptions, though activist groups criticized it as suppression of free expression.

Public Life and Later Career

Media Appearances, Books, and Documentaries

Kroon has authored several detailing his military experiences, challenges, and personal reflections. His debut book, Leiderschap onder vuur (Leadership Under Fire), published in 2012, explores the moral dilemmas faced during his command roles, presenting him in a vulnerable light rarely seen publicly. In 2013, he released Danger Close, focusing on the military operations conducted by his platoon in , including combat engagements and tactical decisions. Subsequent works include Kroongetuige (Key Witness) in 2018, Nassau Two Zero in 2022, and Paraat (Prepared) in 2025, the latter emphasizing , mental resilience, and emergency preparedness tailored for residents of the amid various crisis scenarios. An English-language edition, : , covers his capture and humiliations during a classified mission in , which he initially withheld from official reports. Kroon has appeared in various Dutch television programs, often discussing his military service and post-service perspectives. Notable appearances include episodes of De Wereld Draait Door, a prominent talk show, where he addressed aspects of his career; De Oranjezomer; Knevel & Van den Brink, a news discussion program; and Alle Hens aan Dek. In 2024, he featured in a Soldier of Fortune magazine interview, reflecting on the three-year investigation preceding his Military William Order award and family military heritage. He has also participated in podcasts and YouTube discussions, such as one on the Mutsdas Podcast examining figures like Willem Kievit, and interviews detailing his 2007 kidnapping ordeal, including unreported abuses. The 2023 film Line of Fire (original Dutch title De Vuurlinie), directed by Joram Lürsen and produced by Pupkin Film, dramatizes Kroon's leadership during firefights in Afghanistan, culminating in his receipt of the Netherlands' highest military honor; the film drew record audiences upon release. Kroon appears as himself in the documentary-style program Dit is niet mijn wereld vriend. No standalone documentaries exclusively focused on his life have been identified beyond these integrations into broader media portrayals of his service.

Advocacy, Interviews, and Civic Engagements

Kroon has engaged in as a , delivering lectures on , , resilience, comradeship, , and operating under extreme conditions, drawing from his experiences. These presentations, typically lasting 45 minutes, are booked through speakers' bureaus and his official website, targeting corporate and civic audiences seeking insights into high-stakes . In advocacy, Kroon has supported efforts for greater recognition of , including attending the 2020 re-awarding of decorations to at the Thuisbasis Veteraneninstituut in Eelde and publicly endorsing campaigns for official acknowledgment of past service errors, such as a 2023 by a conscript that gained his backing alongside other figures. He has emphasized the importance of societal appreciation for in online contributions, describing such recognition as essential emotional support. Civic engagements include participation in commemorative events tied to Dutch liberation and , such as a 2025 lecture in Krimpen aan den IJssel marking 80 years of freedom, where he addressed themes of valor and . Kroon has also appeared at gatherings, including dialogues with WWII survivors at the and discussions with municipal staff in Gouda on -related topics. Interviews have provided platforms for Kroon to elaborate on these themes, including a 2022 discussion with the Nederlands Veteraneninstituut on the burdens of his Military William Order and veteran mental health, and a 2024 conversation with Soldier of Fortune magazine reflecting on intergenerational military legacy.

Reception, Controversies, and Legacy

Acclaim for Military Valor and National Service

Marco Kroon garnered significant acclaim for his valor through the conferral of the Military William Order, Fourth Class, the highest honor in the Dutch tradition, awarded on 29 May 2009 by Queen Beatrix at the in . This decoration recognized his exceptional acts of bravery, leadership, and loyalty during deployment with Task Force Viper in , , from March to August 2006, marking the first such award since the . Nominated unanimously by subordinates and senior officers, Kroon's commendation highlighted multiple instances of combat courage, including directing fire under intense enemy assault and prioritizing unit welfare amid sustained attacks. His national service in the , spanning from enlisted Marine Corps roles to command positions, further solidified his reputation as a dedicated , culminating in promotion to major and recognition as one of the ' highest-decorated active-duty servicemen. Kroon's leadership exemplified devotion to duty, with peers crediting him for sustaining operational effectiveness in high-risk environments, earning him a place among only four living knights of the order as of recent records. International acknowledgment amplified this acclaim, as Australian troops who fought alongside Kroon in 2006 praised his repeated exposure to enemy fire to aid allied forces during joint operations, forging bonds of respect across contingents. Despite subsequent personal controversies, military evaluators and official citations consistently upheld Kroon's valor as a benchmark for Dutch excellence, underscoring causal links between his tactical decisions and mission success in efforts. Kroon's post-award conduct, including a 2010 conviction for possession, sparked debates about his suitability as a national despite his military honors. Critics argued that such behavior undermined the prestige of the , with commentators questioning whether a recipient should embody and restraint. Supporters countered that veterans often face psychological challenges, citing post-traumatic stress as a factor in personal lapses, though Kroon himself emphasized personal accountability in interviews. The 2007 Afghanistan incident, where Kroon killed his captor after years of non-disclosure, drew significant scrutiny and public skepticism. Former Defense Minister Henk Kamp described Kroon's 2018 account as "unclear and unlikely," prompting reinvestigation that ultimately found insufficient evidence for prosecution. A 2018 Volkskrant reconstruction highlighted doubts from 13 sources, including comrades, who deemed the decade-long delay in reporting "wrong" and potentially obstructive, fueling media portrayals of Kroon as either a traumatized or . Kroon expressed pain at being labeled a "fantasist and liar," maintaining the killing was amid , including , which he revealed publicly in 2018. A conviction for headbutting a during a public dispute added to perceptions of , resulting in 240 hours of for abusive behavior. Public discourse contrasted this with his battlefield valor, with some viewing it as evidence of unresolved trauma, while others criticized it as disqualifying for a of Dutch pride. The May 5, 2025, Liberation Day confrontation in intensified debates on Kroon's public interventions. Kroon physically removed pro-Palestinian protesters disrupting a WWII commemoration speech, leading to charges from five demonstrators, which the Public Prosecution Service dropped in 2025, citing lack of evidence and proposing instead. Politicians like VVD leader defended his actions as patriotic defense of national solemnity against "sabotage," while critics accused him of excessive force, reflecting broader Dutch tensions over versus commemoration sanctity. Supporters praised Kroon as a bulwark against perceived anti-Western , amplifying his image as a no-nonsense in conservative circles. Overall, public debates portray Kroon as a polarizing figure: lauded by nationalists for unyielding service and confrontation of disruptions, yet criticized for lapses in and veracity that challenge heroic narratives. These discussions often highlight tensions between military autonomy and civilian oversight, with no formal moves to revoke his honors despite recurrent scrutiny.

References

  1. https://www.marcokroon.nl/biografie/
  2. https://www.marcokroon.nl/willems-orde/
  3. https://www.tracesofwar.com/awards/196/Militaire-Willems-Orde-MWO.htm
  4. https://sofmag.com/soldier-of-fortune-dutch-badass-marco-kroon/
  5. https://www.dutchnews.nl/2018/07/decorated-soldier-will-not-be-prosecuted-for-incident-in-afghanistan/
  6. https://nltimes.nl/2025/05/12/demonstrators-accuse-marco-kroon-assault-disrupting-liberation-day-protest
  7. https://www.veteranendag.nl/verhaal/het-verhaal-van-veteraan-marco-kroon/
  8. https://www.volkskrant.nl/mensen/klein-baasje-met-een-grote-bek~b0bf1b4f/
  9. https://indebuurt.nl/denbosch/bosschenaren/bekende-klasgenoten-5-x-bners-die-vroeger-naar-het-sint-janslyceum-gingen~155678/
  10. https://www.veteranendag.nl/verhaal/20-jaar-marco-kroon/
  11. https://panorama.nl/artikel/641737/oud-commando-en-oorlogsheld-marco-kroon-ik-denk-dat-europa-over-50-jaar-overwegend-islamitisch-is
  12. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Netherlands_Marine_Corps
  13. https://hansdevreij.com/2009/02/11/dutch-commando-to-receive-rare-royal-honour/
  14. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Marco_Kroon
  15. https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2016/00/08_taskforce-viper
  16. https://www.royalhonoursanddecorations.nl/knights/knights-of-the-military-order-of-william/major-marco-kroon
  17. https://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Factbook-KCT-2014-English.pdf
  18. https://nltimes.nl/2018/11/22/decorated-dutch-soldier-says-also-raped-afghanistan
  19. https://nltimes.nl/2018/05/09/defense-finds-evidence-dutch-soldiers-abduction-afghanistan-mission-report
  20. https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/onderscheidingen/militaire-willems-orde
  21. https://www.lintjes.nl/ridders/ridders-in-de-militaire-willems-orde/majoor-m.j.-kroon
  22. https://www.royalhonoursanddecorations.nl/decorations-and-honours/military-order-of-william
  23. https://www.lintjes.nl/organisatie/jaarverslagen/jaarverslag-2019/kapittel-der-militaire-willems-orde
  24. https://www.startbedrijf.nl/artikel/het-vermogen-van-marco-kroon
  25. https://nos.nl/artikel/2291506-eerste-millitaire-onderscheiding-voor-dapperheid-in-mali
  26. https://www.bd.nl/s-hertogenbosch/marco-kroon-opnieuw-in-opspraak-wat-gebeurde-er-eerder-rondom-deze-oorlogsheld~a07a3ae2/
  27. https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/marco-kroon-opnieuw-in-opspraak-wat-gebeurde-er-eerder-rondom-deze-oorlogsheld~a07a3ae2/
  28. https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/artikelen/oorlogsheld-marco-kroon-verhoord-door-politie-35562
  29. https://www.bastionoranje.nl/index.php?pagina=nieuws&categorie=944&artikel=4924
  30. https://www.bnr.nl/10070466
  31. https://nos.nl/artikel/234874-kroon-vrijgesproken-van-drugsbezit
  32. https://www.bnnvara.nl/joop/artikelen/marco-kroon-geschoren-in-rechtbank
  33. https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/819068/geen-hoger-beroep-om-tegen-marco-kroon
  34. https://nltimes.nl/2018/01/17/investigation-launched-decorated-dutch-soldiers-use-violence-secret-afghanistan
  35. https://nos.nl/artikel/2215912-marco-kroon-doodde-man-die-hem-gevangennam-en-vernederde-het-was-hij-of-ik
  36. https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/het-was-op-dat-moment-hij-of-ik~a7445621/
  37. https://www.bnnvara.nl/pauw/artikelen/marco-kroon-laat-zich-uit-over-geweldsincident-uit-2007
  38. https://www.bd.nl/binnenland/vraagtekens-bij-verklaring-kroon-hoezo-gevangenschap-niet-gemeld~aa7a2d11/
  39. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2018/07/12/om-breekt-onderzoek-naar-marco-kroon-af-a1609755
  40. https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/commando-s-roepen-marco-kroon-op-te-zwijgen-over-staatsgeheime-missies-veiligheid-in-het-geding~b10a5196/
  41. https://www.pzc.nl/binnenland/oorlogsheld-marco-kroon-doodde-vijand-die-hem-mishandelde~af4fe765/
  42. https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/marco-kroon-grijpt-in-bij-protest-op-bevrijdingsdag-ik-dacht-dat-klopt-niet~a993ee3f/
  43. https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/4686268/marco-kroon-grijpt-demonstrant-tijdens-verstoring-bevrijdingsdag
  44. https://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/ridder-marco-kroon-reageert-op-eigen-kordate-ingrijpen-zo-ben-ik-gevormd-en-opgeleid/65733661.html
  45. https://www.gelderlander.nl/home/ook-oorlogsheld-marco-kroon-grijpt-in-bij-protest-viering-bevrijdingsdag-rookbom-richting-premier-schoof~a993ee3f/
  46. https://nos.nl/artikel/2566960-demonstranten-5-mei-doen-aangifte-tegen-officier-marco-kroon-voor-mishandeling
  47. https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/binnenland/artikel/5508509/demonstranten-bevrijdingsdag-aangifte-marco-kroon
  48. https://nltimes.nl/2025/07/08/decorated-veteran-prosecuted-dragging-protester-away-wwii-commemoration
  49. https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/6361793/marco-kroon-wordt-niet-vervolgd-voor-wegslepen-van-demonstrant-op-5-mei.html
  50. https://brusselssignal.eu/2025/07/dutch-war-hero-escapes-prosecution-for-tackling-protester/
  51. https://www.marcokroon.nl/product/leiderschap-onder-vuur-2/
  52. https://www.nu.nl/overig/3604565/kapitein-marco-kroon-schrijft-boek-over-loopbaan.html
  53. https://www.marcokroon.nl/winkel/
  54. https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/b/boeken-marco-kroon/7978924%2B8299/
  55. https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Country-Soldiers-Story/dp/B09GXPQM6D
  56. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1250144-marco-kroon?language=en-US
  57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w0nqBZfTnw
  58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBT-2bw6FDQ
  59. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17597510/
  60. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3481876/
  61. https://www.marcokroon.nl/biografie-2/
  62. https://www.hetsprekersburo.nl/sprekers/marco-kroon
  63. https://www.sprekersbureauhomerus.nl/sprekers/marco-kroon/
  64. https://www.marcokroon.nl/2020-03-10-marco-kroon-bij-heruitreiking-militaire-onderscheidingen-aan-jamal/
  65. https://nos.nl/artikel/2502450-veteraan-krijgt-na-kampeeractie-voor-kazerne-erkenning-voor-fout-dienstplicht
  66. https://nl.linkedin.com/posts/marco-kroon-7b811549_devuurlinie-veteranen-marcokroon-activity-7165778256556724224-5CCs
  67. https://bibliotheekaandenijssel.op-shop.nl/9546/cultuurcafe-met-marco-kroon/26-06-2025?disable_filter=1
  68. https://rtvmiddenholland.nl/nieuws/majoor-marco-kroon-geeft-lezing-in-krimpen-aan-den-ijssel/
  69. https://m.facebook.com/zogouds/photos/oud-militair-en-veteraan-marco-kroon-was-deze-week-te-gast-in-het-huis-van-de-st/1206480074825919/
  70. https://www.nlveteraneninstituut.nl/nieuws/checkpoint-5-2022-marco-kroon-interview-checkpoint/
  71. https://www.smh.com.au/national/afghanistan-battle-bonds-brothers-in-arms-20090613-c6td.html
  72. https://nos.nl/artikel/2215963-oud-minister-onheldere-en-onwaarschijnlijke-verklaring-van-kroon
  73. https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/fantast-of-oorlogsheld-een-reconstructie-van-kroons-missie-het-incident-en-de-twijfel~b73fb497/
  74. https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/pijnlijk-voor-marco-kroon-dat-hij-fantast-en-leugenaar-wordt-genoemd~afa3c837/
  75. https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/4493261/marco-kroon-werd-verkracht-afghanistan
  76. https://www.dutchnews.nl/2019/12/decorated-soldier-gets-community-service-for-headbutting-policeman/
  77. https://nieuwrechts.nl/105217-om-gaat-marco-kroon-niet-vervolgen-stelt-herstelgesprek-voor
  78. https://www.reddit.com/r/nederlands/comments/1kkzymm/yesilg%25C3%25B6z_over_de_aangifte_tegen_marco_kroon/
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