Juskalian, George, COL

Col. George Juskalian was born in Fitchburg, Mass. on June 7, 1914 and was the youngest son of Kevork Juskalian of Kharpert and Maritza Ferrahian of Arapkir. He was raised in Fitchburg, attended the local High School and graduated from Boston University in 1936 with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism while concurrently earning a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Reserve via ROTC.

Lieutenant George Juskalian was called to active duty in November of 1940. During WWII he saw combat duties in North Africa where he was a prisoner of war for more than 27 months ; he was a battalion commander in Korea in 1952-1953; he was military advisor to the Vietnamese Army under combat conditions in 1963-1964 and advisor to the Imperial Iranian Army in Teheran, 1957-1958. Other key assignments included service in General Dwight Eisenhower's secretariat in the Pentagon, 1945-1948 and subsequent postings at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and Fort Benning, Georgia. He retired from the United States Army with the rank of Colonel in 1967.

In the course of a distinguished military career, Col. Juskalian was awarded a whole slew of medals recognizing him for courage and gallantry, including, among others, two silver medals, four bronze stars, the Legion of Merit and Army Commendation Medal. The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United Sates armed forces for extraordinary heroism and valor in the face of enemy. On more than one occasion Col. Juskalian risked his life to save the lives of his comrades in arm and to lead them to safety in dangerous combat situations.

He lived in Centreville, Virginia with his family for over 25 years and he was an active and respected member of St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church in Washington D.C.

Col. George Juskalian devoted as much energy and time to Armenian community affairs as he could. He is a former member of the Armenian General Benevolent Union's (AGBU) Central Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of America; he has served on the Diocesan Council of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. In recognition of these services to Church and nation, His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, awarded Col. Juskalian in 1988 the medal of St. Nerses Shnorhali. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized Col. George Juskalian for his heroism and honorable service to the United States during a formal session on April 23, 2007.

http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2011-06-07-u-s--honors-col--juskalian-with-post-office-naming

St. Nerses Shnorhali Medal