Josip Metzger (17 August 1883 – 21 June 1945) was a member of the fascist Ustaše movement who rose to the rank of major general in the Independent State of Croatia during World War II.

Acquitted on 7 April 1920,[1] he fled to the Hungarian border village of Vízvár, and distributed political leaflets in the neighbouring Yugoslav Medjimurje region.

[6] During 1930, Metzger, then a Hungarian intelligence officer, engaged with other members of the Party of Rights in organisation of proto-Ustaše activity among Croats in towns along the border of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

[9] On 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers, the puppet government of Independent State of Croatia was created, headed by Ustaše leader Ante Pavelić.

[citation needed] For his service to the Independent State of Croatia during World War II, Metzger was awarded the Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir 1st Class Cross with Star, which granted him Knighthood and allowed him the title vitez.