Ihor Rudko, accepts the UAV gavel from Peter Bencak, retiring national commander

National Commanders

Ukrainian American Veterans National Commanders

The National Executive Board, led by the National Commander, provides leadership of the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) at the national level. National Commanders are elected for a term of two years, and they may be reelected for additional terms.

The National Commander is the executive head of the Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc., with full power to enforce the provisions of the National Constitution, National Bylaws, and the will of the National Convention. He/she shall be the Chairperson of the National Convention, and the National Executive Board. He/she shall appoint all necessary committee chairpersons subject to the ratification of the National Executive Board, and shall perform such other duties as are usually incidental to the office. He/she shall be a member of all the National Committees and may, when deemed necessary, require reports from any and all such committees. He/she shall approve and sign all orders drawn of the National Organization for the disbursement of money and co-sign and countersign all contracts and documents in the name of the organization. He/she will approve the use of the UAV Logo for external use. He/she will approve the use of the good name of the UAV for all seminars, conferences, and other public event and concerts sponsored by posts or state departments.

Article III, Section 1, UAV Constitution and Bylaws

List of UAV National Commanders

  • Michael Darmopray (Honorary), Pennsylvania, Post 1, 1948
  • Michael Hynda, New Jersey, Post 6, 1948–1949
  • Walter Shipka, New York, Post 7, 1949–1950
  • Walter T. Darmopray, Pennsylvania, Post 1, 1950–1952
  • Martin Horbiowski (Horby), Pennsylvania, Post 4, 1952–1953
  • Walter T. Darmopray, Pennsylvania, Post 1, 1953–1954
  • Alex Pronchik, Pennsylvania, Post 1, 1954–1956
  • Walter Bacad, New York, Post 7, 1956–1957
  • Emil Senkow, Pennsylvania, Post 4, 1957–1959
  • George Wolynetz Jr., New York, Post 7, 1959–1960
  • Anthony Kutcher, Connecticut, Post 14, 1960–1961
  • Matthew J. Pope, New York, Post 7, 1961–1963
  • Stephen Shegda, Pennsylvania, Post 4, 1963–1965
  • Walter Klawsnick, New York, Post 7, 1965–1966
  • Eugene Sagasz, New Jersey, Post 17, 1966–1968
  • William Michael Dubetz, New York, Post 7, 1968–1970
  • Michael Wengryn, New Jersey, Post 17, 1970–1972
  • William Harrison, New York, Post 19, 1972–1973
  • Emrick Prestash, Connecticut, Post 15, 1973–1974
  • Vasyl Luchkiw, New York, Post 19, 1974–1976
  • Harry Polche, New York, Post 7, 1976–1978
  • Bohdan Bezkorowajny, New York, Post 7, 1978–1980
  • Michael Chaika, Connecticut, Post 15, 1980–1982
  • Edward A. Zetick, Pennsylvania, Post 4, 1982–1984
  • Joseph Brega, New York, Post 19, 1984–1986
  • Atanas T. Kobryn, New York, Post 7, 1986–1988
  • Jaroslaw Fodoryczuk, Pennsylvania, Post 18, 1988–1989
  • Dmytro Bykovetz Jr., Pennsylvania, Post 4, 1989–1991
  • Roman Rakowsky, Ohio, Post 24, 1991–1993
  • Miroslaus Malaniak, New York, Post 23, 1993–1995
  • Dmytro Bodnarczuk, New York, Post 19, 1995–1997
  • Stephen Szewczuk, New York, Post 27, 1997–2000
  • Mathew Koziak, New York, Post 27, 2000–2004
  • Anna Krawczuk, New Jersey, Post 30, 2004–2008
  • Leonid E. Kondratiuk, Massachusetts, Post 31, 2008–2012
  • Ihor Hron, Florida, Post 40, 2012–2016
  • Peter Bencak, Illinois, Post 32, 2016-2018
  • Ihor Rudko, Connecticut, Post 33, 2018-2023
  • Michael P. Hrycak, New Jersey, Post 17, 2023-present