George Juskalian | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | June 7, 1914 Fitchburg, Massachusetts |
| Died | July 4, 2010 (aged 96) Centreville, Virginia |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1936–1938 1939–1967 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Service number | 339066 |
| Battles / wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star (4) Air Medal |
| Spouse(s) | Beatrice MacDougall Lucine Barsoumian |
| Other work |
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George Juskalian (Armenian: Գեւորգ Ժուսգալեան; June 7, 1914 – July 4, 2010) was a decorated Colonel of the United States Army who served for over three decades and fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.[1] Following graduation from Boston University, Juskalian entered the army as a second lieutenant in June 1936. During World War II, he served with the infantry during the North African Campaign and took part in Operation Torch. At the Battle of the Kasserine Pass, he was captured by German troops and became a prisoner of war (POW) for twenty-seven months. During the Korean War he commanded an infantry battalion. He was then stationed in Tehran where he acted an advisor to the Imperial Iranian Army throughout 1957 and 1958. During the Vietnam War, Juskalian once again undertook advisory duties, working with the South Vietnamese Army between 1963 and 1964, before serving as the MACV inspector general under General William Westmoreland.
Juskalian retired as a colonel in 1967 and is one of the most decorated Armenian-Americans to serve in the United States Army. His awards include two Combat Infantryman Badges, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, four Bronze Stars and the Air Medal.[1][2] He received the Nerses Shnorali Medal from the Catholicos of All Armenians in 1988. The post office in his home town of Centreville, Virginia, has been named the "Colonel George Juskalian Post Office Building" in his honor.
- ^ a b Vittori, Elizabeth (May 24, 2011). "War Hero Honored at Post Office Dedication". CentreVillePatch.
- ^ Dan Scandling (November 29, 2010). "House Honors Deceased Veteran from Centreville". Targeted News Service. Washington, D.C.
After leaving the military as one of the highest ranking Armenian-Americans, Colonel Juskalian continued to serve the community by volunteering in local schools and sharing his message of the importance of public service in appreciation for the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.