Colonel Mehmet Şefik Aker was born in 1877 in Manastır and served in numerous fronts following his graduation from the War School. During the Gallipoli Campaign, he held the commands of the 27th Regiment and the 19th Division, and played an active role in the establishment of the Kuva-yi Milliye during the War of Independence. He undertook many duties including suppressing rebellions in Anatolia, resisting the Italian occupation, and serving as a front commander. After retirement, he published his historical memoirs. Aker, who died in 1964, was a prominent figure in the critical military and political processes of his time.

According to official records, he was born in Manastır in 1877. However, according to his family’s declaration, he was born in Gevgeli on 1 August 1878. He completed his primary education at the local neighborhood school and enrolled in the Salonica Military Secondary School in 1891, graduating from the War School in 1896 with the rank of second lieutenant.

He was promoted to captain in 1900, senior captain in 1905, major in 1908, lieutenant colonel in 1914, and colonel in 1916.

Gallipoli Front: In 1914 he assumed command of the 27th Regiment in Gallipoli and led the first response against the Allied landing at Arıburnu. On 8 August 1915, he was appointed commander of the 19th Division.

Galicia Front: In August 1916 he served on the Galicia Front as part of the Ottoman 15th Corps.

War of Independence: Following Mustafa Kemal Paşa’s arrival in Samsun, he assumed command of the 57th Division on the Aydın Front. In 1919 he led the establishment of the Kuva-yi Milliye, organizing the efe and zeybek forces into a significant popular resistance against the Greek occupation.

Suppressing Rebellions: In 1920 he served alongside Refet Paşa in suppressing the Delibaş Mehmet Revolt. During this period he held commands including Chief of the Tracking Detachment, Commander of the Dinar-Menderes Air Region, and Commander of Antalya and its surrounding region.

Resistance Against the Italians: He undertook diplomatic and military initiatives against Italian occupations in Antalya. He established contacts with the Italians to secure ammunition but consistently protested the occupation.

He retired voluntarily in 1931. During retirement, he wrote works based on military history and his personal memoirs. In 1962 he traveled to London for cancer treatment and died in Istanbul on 6 February 1964. He was buried at Feriköy Cemetery.

• Greek Campaign Medal (1898)
• Order of Medjidie, Fifth Class (1899)
• Liyakat Medal (1900)
• Silver Liyakat Medal (1915)
• Austro-Hungarian decorations (1916)
• Independence Medal awarded by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye

• The Battles of Arıburnu at Gallipoli and the 27th Regiment
• The 57th Division and the National Struggle in Aydın 1918–1920 (ATASE Publication, 2006)