[1][2] Manolis Ioannis Bikakis was born on 10 March 1954 in Amygdalos, Heraklion, Crete.

[4] The Alpha Raider Squadron had the objective to reinforce the ELDYK and Cypriot National Guard units the island and was assigned to the Nicosia International Airport.

[5] During the second phase of invasion launched on August 14, 1974, the Squadron was dispersed confronting the invading Turks in the area of Ayios Dhometios (Battle of Agios Dometios) where Bikakis had been ordered to provide anti-tank cover with a 90-mm M67 recoilless rifle.

Bikakis died in a car accident in 1994, while driving on the Athens-Patra National Highway.

[7] The Greek government claimed that he knocked out 6 Turkish tanks and posthumously awarded him with the Medal of Gallantry in 2015, 41 years after the war had ended.