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Shield holder in the shape of a lion at the grave of Freiherr Franz von John at Vienna Central Cemetery.
Franz von John (1815-1876) was an Austrian army sergeant, chief of general staff and minister of war. He distinguished himself in the battle of Custozza (June 24, 1866) in such a way that he was appointed field marshal lieutenant while still on the battlefield. In November 1866, he was appointed minister of war, in 1869 commanding general in Graz, then field marshal and chief of the general staff of the Army until his death on May 25, 1876.