Ukrainian American Veterans
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Ukrainian
American Veterans
Copyright © 2003 by the
Post 40
North Port,
Florida
Roman Gregor Lazor
September 23, 1928 -- May 18, 2001
Corporal, US Army June 1949 -- August 1952
Combat dury in Korean War (18) Months
Roman was born in Sanok-Trepcza, Lemko Region, Western Ukraine, to Ivan and Ivanna (Romanec) Lazor. He had one younger brother Orestes who was also a US Army Veteran.
During WWII (1941 - 1942), Roman and his family lived in war torn Ukraine where he attended Junior High School (Gymnasium) in the city of Drohobycz, Ukraine. As was the case during WWII may Ukrainians were dispersed to Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia; the Lazor family was one of them.
After WWII in May 1945, Roman and his family settled in a Displaced Persons Camp in Bayreuth, Bavaria, Germany. At that time this part of Germany was under US Zone of Occupation. Roman went back to school and graduated from the Bayreuth Ukrainian Gymnasium in 1947. During the years 1947 - 1948, Romman attended Munich University in Munich, Germany.
In March of 1949 Roman and his family immigrated to the USA and settled in the Philadelphia area. In June of 1949 Roman enlisted in the US Army for three (3) years. He was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington, where he was trained on Mt. Rainier with the 4th RCT (Regimental Combat Team) for Alaska Forces.
When the Korean War broke out in June of 1950, Roman was shipped out to Korea in August for combat duty. He served in the "Seventh infantry Division" as a Medic, from Inchon to the Yalu River. During that time Roman was wounded. Afterwards he served in the 1st. MASH of the 10th Corp. When comat duty was over, he served in Japan with the US Army Occupation Forces.
In a book about the Korean War by M.L.White, "Back Down the Ridge", Cpl. Roman Lazor is mentioned as a Medic in the 1st. MASH Hospital Unit.
As was the case with meany young Ukrainian men and women who were in the US Armed Forces before and during the Korean War, "They were soliders first and citizens later."
Roman served his new contry with honor and distinction, among many decorations he earned are:
Upon returning to the United States, Roman was Honorably discharged at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC. In January of 1953, Roman became a US citizen in Philadelphia, Pa.
From 1952 to 1956 Roman attended, under the GI Bill of Rights, Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa. He graduated with a BS degree in Geology. During 1958 - 1960, Roman attended a Graduate Program at Temple University.
From 1958, Roman married Chrystyna Telepko of Philadelphia. They have a daughter Bohdanna and a son Askold-John (AJ). The Lazor family resided in the Philadelphia area for many years.
From 1956 to 1988 Roman worked as a Senior Geologist with the US Army Corp. of Engineers in the Philadelphia area. He was involved in many major projets such as dams, bridges, flood controls, and a renovation of Fort Dix, N.J. There is a very extensive article with pictures of Roman as a soldier in the Fort Dix Army newspaper, where a former recruit of 4o years ago, is now rebuilding the Fort Dix Army base. Roman was a member of the Association of Engineers Geologists and Society of American Military Engineers.
In 1991 Roman and Chrystyna retired to Venice, FL, where he enjoyed sailig, beach, travels and his family.
In May 1999, when Post #40 of the UAV was orgainized in North Port, FL, Roman and his brother Orestes of Port Charlotte, FL, joined the Post as charter members. Roman was Post Adjutant and Orestes, Service Officer.
Roman died of natural causes on May 18, 2001, and is interned in the Venice Memorial Gardens, Venice, FL. For their departed Comarade in Arms, members of Post #40 provided a full Military Funeral with an Honor Guard and a Firing Squad. As is customary the flag was presented to his widow Chrystyna.
Members of Post #40 UAV choose one of their own heroes, Cpl. Roman G. Lazor, as the Post Patron. On Memorial Day and on Veterans' Day, we place "Old Glory" on his grave to let the public know that here lays a soldier who serverd his country well. He shall be remembered.
Jerry Zinycz, PR Officer
Past Post Commander
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