Dragut Reis

Dragut
Monument to Turgut Reis in Istanbul Depicted with Palm Resting on Globe
Native name	Turgut Reis, "Torghoud"
Nickname(s)	Dragut Rais, Darghouth Arabic: درغوث Italian: Dragura
Born	October 24th, 1485 Bodrum, Ottoman Empire
Died	June 23, 1565 Malta
Allegiance	Ottoman Empire
Service/branch	Ottoman Navy
Years of service	c. 1500–1565
Rank	Admiral, Governor-general, Pasha
Commands held	Commander-in-Chief of Ottoman Naval Forces in the Mediterranean (Beylerbey)
Battles/wars	Battle of Preveza (1538) Invasion of Gozo (1551) Siege of Tripoli (1551) Battle of Ponza (1552) Battle of Djerba (1560) Great Siege of Malta (1565)

Dragut (Turkish: Turgut Reis) (1485 – 23 June 1565), known as "The Drawn Sword of Islam", was a famed, respected, and feared MuslimOttoman Naval Commander of Greek descent. Recognized for his military genius, he was once described by a French admiral as "A living chart of the Mediterranean, skillful enough on land to be compared to the finest generals of the time. No one was more worthy than he to bear the name of king".

Dragut has been referred to as "the greatest pirate warrior of all time", "undoubtedly the most able of all the Turkish leaders", and "the uncrowned king of the Mediterranean".

In addition to serving as Admiral and Corsair in the Ottoman Empire's Navy under Suleiman the Magnificent, Dragut was also appointed Bey (Governor) of Algiers and Djerba, Beylerbey (Commander-in-Chief) of the Mediterranean, as well as Bey, and subsequently Pasha (Lord), of Tripoli.

Under his skillful command, the Ottoman Empire's maritime power was extended across North Africa. While serving as Pasha of Tripoli, Dragut constructed great feats in the city, making it one of the most impressive to behold along all the North African Coast.