Jānis Balodis (born February 20, 1881 Trikāta parish - died August 8, 1965, Saulkrasti) was an army general and politician who was a principal figure in the foundation and government of independent Latvia. Prior to independence, he served in the Imperial Russian Army until his capture by the Germans in 1917. Balodis is a recipient of the Latvian military Order of Lāčplēsis, 2nd and 3rd class.