Croatian Embassy in Washington D.C.

09/03/2026

Today, Ambassador Pjer Šimunović and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Ivica Kranjčević visited Shamokin, Pennsylvania, to pay solemn tribute to one of its native sons, Albert Anthony Francovich. 🇭🇷🇺🇸

A World War II volunteer, Francovich was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism during the Solomon Islands campaign. His courage and sacrifice represent a legacy that deserves to be remembered and honored.

During the visit, a wreath was laid in his memory at the Price of Freedom Memorial. The delegation also visited the local American Legion Post and paid respects at St. Edward’s Cemetery, where Albert’s parents and other family members are buried.

We are deeply grateful to Mayor Mike McLaughlin for proclaiming today Albert Francovich Day in Shamokin—a meaningful tribute ensuring that the memory of this American hero will endure in his hometown.

Our sincere thanks to Bob Sandri and his family for their generous hospitality, and to the people of Shamokin for their warm and heartfelt welcome.

Today, we remembered a son of Shamokin who answered the call to serve and gave his life in defense of freedom.

May Albert Anthony Francovich never be forgotten.

08/29/2026

🇭🇷🥊 CROATIA’S FIRST HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION!

Congratulations to Filip Hrgović, who has made Croatian sporting history by becoming Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion, defeating Moses Itauma to claim the IBF heavyweight world title! 🏆🇭🇷

A remarkable achievement for Croatian boxing and another proud moment for Croatian sport on the world stage.

From Zagreb to the biggest stage in boxing — and who knows, perhaps his next title defense will bring the champion back to the United States. 🇺🇸🥊

Congratulations, Filip! 👏🇭🇷

📷 Profimedia

08/27/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 From Oklahoma to Split—and now Europe! ⚽️

What a day for Rokas Pukštas! The American midfielder scored the decisive goal for Hajduk Split today, sending the club into European football for the first time in 16 years.

Rokas is another wonderful example of how the ties between the United States and Croatia enrich both countries. An American playing in Croatia, growing through Croatian football, and now helping one of Croatia’s most iconic clubs return to the European stage.

And there is a little piece of Rokas already at the Embassy: his signed Hajduk jersey proudly hangs on our walls.

Congratulations, Rokas—and congratulations, HNK Hajduk Split! Europe, here we come! 🇭🇷🇺🇸

08/26/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 We are proud to see Orqa, the Osijek-based Croatian technology company, selected by the U.S. Army’s 2nd Infantry Division as a supplier of FPV drones.
Following an evaluation of multiple suppliers, Orqa’s systems were chosen on the strength of their demonstrated performance in the field. The agreement to procure marks an important step in the company’s expansion into the U.S. defense market and places Croatian-developed technology with one of the U.S. Army’s permanently deployed formations.
From Osijek to the U.S. Army—another example of Croatian innovation reaching the world. 🇭🇷🤝🇺🇸
Congratulations to the entire Orqa team!

📷MORH/T.Brandt

08/25/2026

🇺🇸 Remembering Dolly Parton

The Embassy of Croatia extends its sincere condolences on the passing of Dolly Parton, one of America’s most beloved and enduring cultural icons.

Her extraordinary voice, songwriting, warmth, humor, and generosity touched generations far beyond the world of music. She was a uniquely American storyteller whose work brought joy to millions around the world.

Today, we remember an exceptional artist and an even more exceptional human being.

Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those who loved her.

May she rest in peace, and may her music live on. 🇺🇸

📷 Profimedia

08/25/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 Remembering Master Sergeant Ivica Jerak

As part of the Embassy’s A250 initiative honoring Croatian American servicemen and women, today at Arlington National Cemetery we paid tribute to U.S. Army Master Sergeant Ivica Jerak, a Croatian American and Delta Force operator who gave his life in service to the United States. He was killed in action in Husaybah, Iraq, in 2005.

A wreath was laid at his gravesite by Chargé d’Affaires Branka Pažin, Defense Attaché Brigadier General Ivica Kranjčević, Assistant Defense Attaché Major Josip Furlić, and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Bernhardt, representing U.S. Special Operations Forces.

In solemn remembrance, we honor Master Sergeant Jerak’s courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty. His life and service are a powerful testament to the many Croatian Americans who have served and sacrificed for the United States.

His sacrifice will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace. 🇭🇷🇺🇸

08/21/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 Celebrating Croatian American heritage in Biloxi, Mississippi

Yesterday, Ambassador Pjer Šimunović participated in a special celebration of Croatian American heritage at the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, organized by the Slavic Benevolent Association of St. Nikola, established in 1913.

The celebration brought together a remarkable gathering of friends of Croatia, including Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, a proud Croatian American; the mayors of Gulfport and Ocean Springs; U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith; Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann; Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch; Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson; and many other distinguished guests.

Our exhibition, Croatian Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces: History, Service and Partnership, authored by our fellow diplomat Luka Jušić, was also part of the event, highlighting the service and sacrifice of Croatian Americans who served their country.

We are especially grateful to the Slavic Benevolent Association of St. Nikola for more than a century of preserving Croatian heritage and community in Mississippi, and to everyone who continues to strengthen the bonds between Croatia and the United States.

A special thank you to Attorney General Lynn Fitch for the thoughtful gift of a Mississippi state flag to Ambassador Šimunović—a wonderful symbol of the friendship between Mississippi and Croatia. 🇭🇷🤝🇺🇸

08/20/2026

Pogues for Life… and Croatia for the win! 🇭🇷🌊
The fifth and final season of Netflix’s Outer Banks is now out, and we’re so proud that part of the Pogues’ last big adventure was filmed in Croatia — from the stone streets of Dubrovnik’s Old Town and the Adriatic shores around Cavtat and Lokrum to other beautiful spots along the coast (including areas near Split!).
The cast has been sharing some of their favorite memories from filming, and let’s just say Croatia left quite the impression (spider bites and all 🕷️😂). Watch Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, and Carlacia Grant talk about their time there in this fun interview:
👉 https://youtu.be/8SvfMOWfyGo
From the walls of Dubrovnik to the crystal-clear sea, we’re thrilled that Croatia helped bring this final treasure hunt to life. Who’s already watching with a whole new appreciation for these stunning locations?
P4L ✌️ and dobrodošli to Croatia anytime, Pogues!

Stars of Netflix’s mega-hit “Outer Banks,” Madelyn Cline, Madison B...

08/17/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 30 years of friendship, partnership, and shared commitment.

Yesterday in St. Paul, a Croatian delegation led by Ambassador Pjer Šimunović joined the Minnesota National Guard in marking the 30th anniversary of the Minnesota–Croatia State Partnership Program.

The delegation included Brigadier General Krešimir Ražov, Commander of the Croatian Air Force; Brigadier General Valentin Skroza, Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Croatian Army; Command Sergeant Major Nevena Ramić, Senior Enlisted Advisor in the Croatian Air Force; Major Josip Furlić, Assistant Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché; and Consul General in Chicago Sanja Laković.

Hosted by Major General Shawn Manke, Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, the celebration brought together friends and partners from both sides, including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Betty McCollum. Former commanders of the Minnesota National Guard also joined the celebration, reflecting the many generations of leadership that have helped build this enduring partnership.

Since 1996, the partnership has grown into a broad and enduring relationship encompassing military exchanges, joint training, professional development, education, interoperability, and institutional cooperation. Croatian and Minnesota service members have trained and served together, including in Afghanistan in support of NATO.

We were especially honored as Ambassador Šimunović received the Superior Civilian Service Award in recognition of his contribution to the partnership. In another historic gesture, the Governor of Minnesota proclaimed August 16 as Minnesota–Croatia Partnership Day, ensuring that this special bond will be recognized for years to come.

Three decades of partnership have created friendships that extend far beyond the military. Hvala Minnesota for 30 years of friendship and cooperation—and here’s to the next 30! 🇭🇷🇺🇸