Albin F. Irzyk
Albin F. Irzyk | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 2, 1917 Salem, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | September 10, 2018 (aged 101) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1971 |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Commands | 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | World War II Berlin Crisis of 1961 Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star (2) Bronze Star (4) Purple Heart (2) Legion of Merit - US Military Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France) Czechoslovak War Cross 1939–1945 |
Albin Felix Irzyk (January 2, 1917 – September 10, 2018) was an American brigadier general who was the oldest living veteran of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment.[1] Joining the Army in 1940, he was the Commander of the 8th Tank Battalion of the 4th Armored Division of the United States Army during World War II, the Commander of the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment during the Berlin Crisis of 1961, and Assistant Commander of the 4th Infantry Division in South Vietnam during his career.
Early life and education
[edit]Irzyk was born on January 2, 1917, in Salem, Massachusetts.[2] His parents had immigrated from Poland.[3]
While at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he received a bachelor's degree, and a commission from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) in the Horse Cavalry. Irzyk also has a master's degree in International Relations from the American University in Washington, D.C., and graduated from the National War College.[citation needed]
Military career
[edit]In January 1968, Irzyk was commander of the Army's Headquarters Area Command in Saigon, in this role Irzyk organised the quick-reaction forces in the city that countered the Viet Cong Tet Offensive.[4]
He retired from the army as the Commanding General of Fort Devens, Massachusetts in 1971.[5]
Writing career
[edit]Irzyk has written multiple books,[6] including an autobiographical book He Rode Up Front for Patton[7] and Patton's Juggernaut.[8]
Legacy and honors
[edit]In 1999, a park on Fort Avenue in Salem, Massachusetts was dedicated to him. There is a military tank displayed there.[5]
He turned 100 in January 2017[2][5] and died on September 10, 2018, at the age of 101.[9] He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[10]
Awards
[edit]- Distinguished Service Cross[11]
- Silver Star (2)
- Bronze Star (4)
- Purple Heart (2)
- Legion of Merit - US Military
- Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)
- Czechoslovak War Cross 1939–1945[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Brave Rifles leaders visit oldest living 3rd CR veteran". www.army.mil. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ a b Kenneth O. Preston (2017-01-30). "Irzyk explains performance of American tanks in World War II". Association of the United States Army. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
- ^ Kleinberg, Eliot (September 15, 2018). "Albin Irzyk, leader in WWII and Vietnam, dies at 101 in West Palm Beach". Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019.
- ^ Paschall, Rod (4 January 2013). "Tet: Circling the wagons in Saigon". Vietnam Magazine. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
- ^ a b c "Irzyk Park - City of Salem MA". www.salem.com.
- ^ "Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk, WWII Tank Commander in Patton's Famed Third Army, Speaks at Daemen College". my.daemen.edu. Daemen Today. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ He rode up front for Patton, Brig. Gen. Albin F. (Al) Irzyk. Pentland Press. 1996. ISBN 9781571970077. OCLC 34548750. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ Patton's Juggernaut: The Rolling 8-Ball. Elderberry Press, Inc. 2017. ISBN 9781934956731. OCLC 1005517534.
- ^ Albin Felix Irzyk 2018
- ^ "Burial detail: Irzyk, Albin Felix". ANC Explorer. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
- ^ "Valor awards for Albin F. Irzyk". valor.militarytimes.com.
- ^ "Albin F. Irzyk Awards". TracesOfWar.com. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
  | This biographical article related to the United States Army is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
| This biographical article related to World War II United States Army personnel is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 1917 births
- 2018 deaths
- American men centenarians
- American University School of International Service alumni
- American people of Polish descent
- Military personnel from Massachusetts
- Writers from Salem, Massachusetts
- University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni
- United States Army generals
- Recipients of the Czechoslovak War Cross
- National War College alumni
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
- United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
- United States Army personnel of World War II
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
- United States Army personnel stubs
- World War II United States Army personnel stubs