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Ukrainian
American Veterans
Freehold, New Jersey
Major Myron Diduryk Post 30
Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day. May 7, 2002
May 7, 2002. Members of Major Myron Diduryk UAV Post 30- Freehold, attended the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day Ceremony at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Holmdel, New Jersey, on which their patron's name is inscribed. It was a great honor for our membership to meet and speak with Lt General Harold G. Moore (Ret), co-author with Joseph L. Galloway of the book, We Were Soldiers Once...and Young, published in 1992 and made into a major motion picture starring Mel Gibson ten years later. During our brief encounter, UAV Post 30 Commander Bernard Krawczuk informed General Moore that Myron Diduryk is the patron of our post and that we were there to honor him and all other Vietnam veterans as well.
General Moore's eyes lit up as he remembered a young officer of so many years ago and referring to him he said: "He was one of my best commanders who fought in the Ia Drang. I am really glad that your post selected him above others to be your patron. Myron Diduryk deserves that honor."
This year a special tribute was paid to Col. Cyril Richard Rescorla, who was not only a brave, gallant and decorated Vietnam veteran but also because he gave his life on September 11, 2001 while helping others evacuate the collapsing World Trade Center after the terrorist attack. In General Moore's book Rick Rescorla and Myron Diduryk are mentioned numerous times but on page 194 one reads the following passage: "When Myron Diduryk and Rick Rescorla reached the Charlie Company sector, they were shocked by what they saw." Both heroes survived the Pleiku campaign in the fall of 1965. On November 27, 1965 Myron Diduryk wrote a detailed account of Bravo Company's actions at X-Ray for the ROTC students at his alma mater, St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey. On his second tour of duty a sniper in Vietnam killed Major Myron Diduryk on April 24, 1970. He is buried at Fort Benning, GA cemetery.
PHOTO: In front: Jerry Schmotolocha, Vietnam Veterean, served in the 1st Cavarly Division, Standing from left: Martin Solonynka, WWII Veteran, PC Bernard Krawczuk, Lt Gen Harold G. Moore, Anna Krawczuk, UAV NVC and Jurji Jacus, PPC.