Albin F. Irzyk

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.

Albin F. Irzyk
Born(1917-01-02)January 2, 1917
Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedSeptember 10, 2018(2018-09-10) (aged 101)
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1940–1971
RankBrigadier general
Commands held14th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsWorld War II
Berlin Crisis of 1961
Vietnam War
AwardsDistinguished 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

Early life and education

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.

Military career

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

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

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]

Awards

References
  1. "Brave Rifles leaders visit oldest living 3rd CR veteran". www.army.mil. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Paschall, Rod (4 January 2013). "Tet: Circling the wagons in Saigon". Vietnam Magazine. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  5. "Irzyk Park - City of Salem MA". www.salem.com.
  6. "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.
  7. "He rode up front for Patton, Brig. Gen. Albin F. (Al) Irzyk". North of Boston Library Exchange. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  8. Patton's Juggernaut: The Rolling 8-Ball. Elderberry Press, Inc. 2017. ISBN 9781934956731. OCLC 1005517534.
  9. Albin Felix Irzyk 2018
  10. "Valor awards for Albin F. Irzyk". valor.militarytimes.com.
  11. "Albin F. Irzyk Awards". en.ww2awards.com. World War 2 Awards. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
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