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George Vujnovich
George Vujnovich
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George Vujnovich Obituary
Vujnovich is credited with leading the so-called Halyard Mission in what was then Yugoslavia. It was the largest air rescue of Americans behind enemy lines in any war.
A long retired salesman of aircraft parts, he died April 24 of natural causes at home in Queens, according to his daughter, Xenia Wilkinson.
The Serbian-American and Pittsburgh native was an officer of the OSS, the precursor of today's CIA, when about 500 pilots and other airmen were downed over Serbia in the summer of 1944 while on bombing runs targeting Hitler's oil fields in Romania, according to U.S. government field station files.
The airmen were hidden in villages by Serbian guerrilla fighter Draza Mihailovich, leader of the Chetniks, whom Yugo slav communist officials considered to be Germany's collaborators.
"This mission would not have succeeded without the great courage of Draza Mihailovich and his brave men," Vujnovich said at a 2010 ceremony in which he was formally awarded the U.S. Bronze Star Medal.
It was no small feat to convince American officials to allow him to work with Mihailovich on the clandestine mission, dubbed Halyard, meaning a rope used to hoist sails. By then, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had decided to follow British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's lead, abandoning support for Mihailovich in favor of the Yugoslav communists, the strongest grass-roots guerrilla force fighting the invading Nazis and Italian fascists.
"Vujnovich is the one who sold the mission to U.S. officials. He pushed hard," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steven Oluic, a former West Point professor who prepared the award submission for the Department of the Army.
On Aug. 2, 1944, three OSS agents strap ped with radio transmitters were airdropped near Mihailovich's headquarters to set up the operation. Dozens of U.S. military cargo planes flew in over the months to pick up the airmen when they were downed. Serbian villagers had helped them build an airstrip by the village of Pranjani.
The fliers parachuted into a mountainous region where local farmers brought them to their houses and barns. During the next 66 days, the Americans moved each night to a different location so as not to be captured by the occupying Germans.
The story is told in a 2007 book titled "The Forgotten 500," by Gregory Freeman.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
117 Entries
Alex
August 21, 2014
I am sorry for your loss. He was a very brave man.
Jim Harvey
May 25, 2012
Godspeed to an obvious hero of a man...
Miguel Nieto
May 9, 2012
God Bless you on your voyage to heaven.
Charita Quince
May 8, 2012
Thank you
How you can show support
Amelia mike
May 8, 2012
Thank You for all you have done for this country....this is not only a loss to family and friends...but to America....my prayers go out to family and friends
Edward R Gavalek
May 7, 2012
God bless one of the brave ones ... ones who would not take NO for an answer ...
E R Gavalek, Pittsburgh PA
May 7, 2012
God bless one of the brave ones ... ones who would not take NO for an answer ...
E R Gavalek, Pittsburgh PA
May 7, 2012
My deep condolences to the Vujnovich family. May you find comfort from God's word recorded at Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10 regarding the loss of your loved one.
Mark Stockwell
May 7, 2012
What a true sacrifice for our generation...
Branko Ilic
May 7, 2012
Godspeed sir!
Margaret
May 7, 2012
God bless.
May 7, 2012
I am so sorry for your lost. May you and your family rely on God in this time if grief.
Jeanette
May 7, 2012
To the family and friends of George Vujnovich,
Please accept my sincere condolences during this time of your loss. God promises that one day he will remove all suffering, death and war will be no more. What a wonderful prospect for mankind!
May 6, 2012
All the movie stars and sports heroes are nothing compared to this man.
jeff Moreno
May 6, 2012
What else is there to say ..Thank you!
May 6, 2012
Men like him made America great. Thank you.
Lisa Dawson Knight
May 6, 2012
Thank You.
May 6, 2012
What a hero for Americans - may God bless you and your family at this time of sorrow. We appreciate your service to us.
shirley albrecht
May 5, 2012
One of the true heroes greatest. God bless the family. Shirley Nevada
Mary Davitt-Bocchino
May 5, 2012
I was amazed to read of the heroism of this man. God bless his family who was so lucky to have him.
Walt Mills
May 5, 2012
God speed Mr Vujnovich. To you and all the Serbian people who helped you
May 5, 2012
God bless you, and thank you!
May 5, 2012
To the family of George Vujnovich may God give you comfort and peace by means of prayer - Philipians 4:6,7. My deepest sympathy
Bill Mihalo
May 5, 2012
May you rest in peace for saving the airmen from the 456th Bomb Group William Mihalo,Munster,In.
William Elliott
May 5, 2012
God bless you Mr George Vujnovich America's Hero.Thank you for your courage and sacrafice in our behalf.
Related to this obit I had the honor of meeting a WWII B24 pilot Bill Crawford who was shot down over Sava Yugoslavia on Aug 1944 on his 18th mission.He showed me pictures of himself and several of his crew with Mr Draza Mihailovich mentioned in this article,who was instrumental in their eventual escape to freedom thru the resistance groups. It is unfortunate that we only find out about these 'Greatest Generation Heros after their passing.I'll forever hold all of you in a special place in my heart.Thank you again.
Crystal Salisbury
May 4, 2012
God bless this great man. This country is indebted to him.
J Kelly
May 4, 2012
Godbless your family. Thank you for your service.
William Coggins
May 4, 2012
It is sad that adulation and praise these days is reserved for those who are better athletes,or who can sing or dance better than others, while our true heros like George Vujnovich toil in relative obscurity. We need nore such as him. My condolences to the family.
Roxana Johnson
May 4, 2012
An another one of the "Greatest Generation" gone. What an incredible man and an inspiration. I wish more men would have talked about their own "missions". I would have loved to have had my dad talk about his time in the Navy and Midway Island. Thank you to all our service people and their families. I am glad I got to read about this wonderful man. God bless you Mr. Vujinovich.
Andja
May 4, 2012
Vjecnaja Pampat! May his memory be eternal. My condolences to the family. I wish I knew this man.
May 4, 2012
God bless you George and all those heroes like you of the greatest generation who put their lives on the line to save others . RIP.
Michael Ashington-Pickett. Castle Rock CO.
ray hebert
May 4, 2012
This man is the meaning of a true hero. What the U.S.A. used to be made of. May God Bless And Kepp You.
Donna Fairchild
May 4, 2012
Thank you for your incredible service to our country, Mr. Vujnovich. Rest in peace. May your family be comforted by the memory of your heroic deeds.
NIK NICHOLAS
May 4, 2012
Someone should write a book about all you un-sung HEROs, of the WARS, I would imagine there are thousands of stories out waiting to be heard,,GOD BLESS...NIK Trumbull,Ct.
Vera McBride
May 4, 2012
God Bless America and our heroes such as Mr. Vujnovich. Peace and blessings.
Read
May 4, 2012
Another member of the greatest generation has gone on to his reward in heaven. My sincere condolences to Mr. Vujnovich's family and loved ones.
Sherry Lakey
May 4, 2012
God Bless you and Thank you for your service to our country.
RIP
billy curtis
May 4, 2012
our country is made up of heroes of all kinds, GOD bless his dear memory.
Gail Jackson
May 4, 2012
Rest in peace, Hero. Thank you for all you did for the USA.
Roger Owens
May 4, 2012
In standing your ground on what you believed was right, you saved hundreds of lives. You weren't a "Yes Man" and placed substance over style. May you RIP.
Sharlene Dimak
May 4, 2012
My deepest sympathy to the Vujnovich family.
Angela D
May 4, 2012
A true American hero. Rest in peace knowing that your countrymen are safe and you are very much loved and respected.
Linda S
May 4, 2012
May The Forgotten 500 be a textbook in the hands of our future students to learn the value of your loyalties.
Mike Donley
May 3, 2012
God bless you Mr. Vujnovich. The United States is in desperate need of more people like yourself.
May 3, 2012
Wow, a true American hero. His bravery is beyond description. I wish I lived next door to him because I would have been at his door step daily just to look at him and marvel at the man ! RIP Hero !
L. Grant
May 3, 2012
Thanks so very much for your outsanding
service, to our once very proud country.
May 3, 2012
Thank you for being with us long enough to teach us strength and patience in adversity. George Vujnovich was a true example of a gentleman. The Halyard Mission was bravery at its finest. The rescue of 500 people! Generations have prospered because of you. Thank you for knowing the men you selected would make the right decisions as well. They (Nikola Lalich, Gov Musulin and Arthur Jibilian) could not have done it without your guidance. Teaching them everything down to trying their shoe laces, every detail and nuance to befriend Draza and the Chetniks. And of course living long enough so that when you were finally recognized for the Halyard Mission, America had the right person to receive the long awaited honor. The face of the Halyard Mission was clear, concise and a true hero. We are so lucky to have had you with us. We cannot begin to thank you enough. We would also like to thank his family for sharing George with us. We are truly sorry for your loss. Memory Eternal
Mary Masanovich
May 3, 2012
Memory Eternal
May 3, 2012
To the family of Mr. Vujnovich my deepest condolences and to the memory of one of America's greatest heroes, we thank you for your service -- you sir, truly were one of America's Greatest Generation!
Jan
May 3, 2012
Thank you for your courage and love for this great nation and the men you helped save! I will definitely read the book.
May 3, 2012
A courageous man! Thank you!
A. Brandt
May 3, 2012
Thank you sir for your service to our country. May you rest in peace.
Gary Yingling
May 3, 2012
Another silent hero among us. How many people can say they would be willing to sacrifice all, and to convince their own unwilling government, to save 500 of the warriors for whom we owe so much? I wonder how much media coverage this American hero, George Vujnovich, got then, or will get now and in the future. There are so many to whom we owe so much.
May 3, 2012
Dear George Vujnovich, rest in peace. I read about your WWII heroism but never had the opportunity to meet you in person.
Memory eternal!
Elizabeth
Canada
Jerri Solomon
May 3, 2012
Godspeed and thank you for your service to our country.
Gene Falcon
May 3, 2012
Thank you' for your service.
Henryk Zaleski
May 3, 2012
Rest in peace George, rest among the heroes who are dear to everyone including the Father.
charles barton
May 3, 2012
God bless this patriot; Rest in peace !!
Milana (Mim) Bizic
May 3, 2012
I am so grateful to all who have expressed their condolences here to such a great man, who was GREAT BY CHOICE, but always so humble. Always! Too, I'm especially gratified to see the entry by Robert Burton, telling how he is the grandson of one of the rescued airmen. Because of Robert and the children and grandchildren of the rescued 500, the story will continue to live on! Memory eternal to one of my longtime friends who will be so deeply missed! Vjecnaja Pampat! I do urge others to read THE FORGOTTEN 500. It's a great book about this covered-up-for-60 years mission!
Ray Major
May 3, 2012
I've read the book and I must say his efforts are the mark of a true hero. It is because of men such as this that our country has achieved such greatness.
L Barrett
May 3, 2012
Shame I had never read, in all of my WWII readings, of this man before. I will make it a point to, now. Blessings.
Sherry Chambers
May 3, 2012
I wish I could have known this gentleman. He is the example for what an "American" should be. If only our generation could have his values, America would be much better than we are today. Thanks to him, his family and friends for his service to our country.
Mark Gaunt, AF TSGT Retired
May 3, 2012
As an airforce veteran, I appreciate & salute what Mr Vujnovich did for the fliers. RIP, Sir.
Greg Sanford
May 3, 2012
A REAL AMERICAN HERO! RIP and may God welcome you with open arms.
Vera Gallagher
May 3, 2012
I extend my deepest thanks and sincere sympathy to Mr. Vujnovich's family.What a wonderful man he must have been. Another member of the Greatest Generation is lost to the ages. But his work in this valiant feat of valor by rescuing the Forgotten 500 will not be forgotten by those who know that freedom is not free. I know better than others the tremendous meaning of the Bronze medal for Valor. My father rec'd his as an 11th Airborne paratrooper in the Raid on Los Banos.
A
May 3, 2012
Thank you for your service to our country and your bravery under such terrible conditions. You've changed the lives of many people. May God Bless your family and loved ones. Rest in Peace.
Lt.Col. J. Stryker
May 3, 2012
Bless You Mr.Vujnovich.We ALL are grateful to you & Chetniks for the courage & actions that allow us our FREEDOM.
Adrian Barnette
May 3, 2012
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
John Herzig
May 3, 2012
In honor and memory of a real American hero. Thank you for your bravery and patriotism And being an example of a True and Loyal American. I didn't know you but wish I could have.
Ashley Wallace
May 3, 2012
God bless him and his family. Thank you for everything you have done to keep us safe. Rest in peace.
Sherry Johnson
May 3, 2012
To this American Hero...Rest In Peace
Cheryl Bean
May 2, 2012
Incredible story and thanks for your courage and compassion.
Robert Burton
May 2, 2012
Thank you for saving my grandfather's life. Because you rescued John Burton, you made it possible for my family to exist. You are my hero. Rest in peace.
Tom Vukodinovich
May 2, 2012
My condolances on the passing of George. I wish I could have visited with him. My father,Eli Vukodinovich, was a WWII vet and passed away in April 2010 at 91.
Dee W
May 2, 2012
Thank you for your bravery! May you rest in peace.
Gene Hollon
May 2, 2012
May God bless the memory of this amazing hero.Memories of his selflessness will comfort his family.My prayers are for strength and comfort through God's love and mercy.Gene Hollon Lincoln al.
L Thompson
May 2, 2012
God bless you Sir for being a patriot and may your family have comfort in the days ahead. Thank you for your sacrifice and service.
ms
May 2, 2012
My deepest condolences to the Vujnovich family. May the God of comfort bring you peace. Romans 15:33
Patricia Haynes
May 2, 2012
May you rest in God's Peace, you brave hero. Thank you for your courage & support. My prayers for your family & friends.
Mike Sanford
May 2, 2012
And I suggest everyone to read "The Forgotten 500" it is a great book and a noble effort on the part of Mr. Vujnovich and the Chetniks. A great American has passed.
David Nielsen
May 2, 2012
Thank you Mr. Vujnovich for your service to our Country. You and your peers were truly heroes. May God comfort the family with great memories of you and your service. Psalm 116:15.
David Johnson
May 2, 2012
Puno Dobro Mr. Vujnovich. Thank you for saving our Pilots. You are my hero. I was a United Nations police Officer in Gracanica, Kosovo, Tenja Croatia, and Tribenia BIH. I worked with Croatian, Serbians, Bosnians, and Albanians the people from the former Yugoslavia are some of the best people in the world.
William Burnette
May 2, 2012
I feel blessed to learn of your courage and bravery. It is amazing that you were able to work with Draza Mihailovich to free these brave men in an adverse political climate. What a shame it took so long for you to be awarded the Bronze Star. May you rest in peace.
elisa
May 2, 2012
an incedible story! i wish i had a tenth of your courage and vision.
marilyn keeton
May 2, 2012
~Rest In Peace Mr. George Vujnovich~ You gave of yourself to serve others. I cannot imagine what you went through to free all these servicemen. You were so brave. Thank you and peace to the family.
A Proud American
May 2, 2012
We should all salute this man; another hero who probably never thought of himself as one. What an honor it must have been to have served with him during the war and to have known him as a civilian afterwards. May our eternal God comfort his family. And, thank God for the bravery of all the men who served during WWII.
May 2, 2012
Thank you Sir for your bravery!
Gary Adams
May 2, 2012
An American Hero from the time when men were allowed to think for themselves. A great, brave, real American Hero, whose memory will always live on in our history.
sam donahue
May 2, 2012
another brave man passes RIP
Sonya Popken
May 2, 2012
A true American hero. God bless this man's family and comfort them.
Grateful Citizen
May 2, 2012
God Bless. Thank you for all you did. My condolences to the family. What a great man.
marilyn williams
May 2, 2012
my dad served in the army, its a pleasure to see your picture and read of the honor you gave to us as americans i know God will welcome you giving you peace you so well deserve. my regards to the family in honor of Raymond Berryhill of alabama WW 2
Kelly Gainor
May 2, 2012
May god be with the George Vujnovich family thankyou for a job well done.
Ken Johnson
May 2, 2012
True heros are a God-send. I hear this is one of them. My condolences to the family.
Kathy Kearns
May 2, 2012
Thank you for your bravery! Tears in my eyes. Glad you got to live through the war!
Scott Chamberland
May 2, 2012
Rest in Peace
May 2, 2012
they don't make em like you anymore!!!!!1
Dianna Hartman
May 2, 2012
For his service we are, indeed, very grateful! Another hero of that time gone--so sad. May you now rest in peace. To the family of Mr. Vujnovich, I send my deepest sympathy.
Terrel Jamett Clark
May 2, 2012
A super person. I had 5 uncles in WWII and they were are super to me. God Bless you and the family and all the men you help get out.
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