Jan Berek (1896 - 1986) was a soldier of the Austro-Hungarian Army and Generał brygady of the Polish Army, who fought in World War I, Polish–Soviet War and the Invasion of Poland. Born on August 19, 1896 in Nowy Sącz, Austrian Galicia, Berek studied medicine at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. In May 1918 he joined Polish Military Organisation, and in November of the same year he fought in the Battle of Lemberg, as leader of a company in 5th Legions' Infantry Regiment. In February 1919, Berek became company leader in the 9th Legions Infantry Regiment, stationed at Lublin. He remained in his post until April 1926, fighting in the Polish–Soviet War. On June 1, 1919, Berek was promoted to major.