Monte Melkonian, born in Fresno, California, joined Artsakh liberation movement in 1991 and soon became a commander of 4000 fighters. In April 1993, Melkonian was one of the chief military strategists who planned and led the operation to capture the region of Kalbajar. Although outnumbered, Armenian forces captured the region in four days of heavy fighting, sustaining far fewer fatalities than the enemy. Monte died on June 12 1993 and was buried in Yelablur.