At age 77, former Army Specialist 5 George Bednarski of Wall reflected on his service more than 55 years ago during the Vietnam War.
“I supported all the people, especially those on the front line, who had constant contact with the enemy forces,” Bednarski said.
His comments were made Saturday when he was at last presented the Bronze Star - an honor he was recommended for in 1967 but which the confusion of war, then years of red tape, prevented him from receiving.
“This award is not for me being a hero but rather supporting those heroes in the field and others supporting them and their mission," Bednarski said.
"They depended on me to ensure we had accurate and operational target acquisition data to eliminate hostile mortar fire. I tried to stay focused all the time to do my job. I knew we were at risk at all times executing our mission," he said.
Smith's office explained Bednarski's role in the war: "For 16 months, he had the daunting responsibility to quickly identify incoming mortar fire and rapidly feed the data to U.S. and South Vietnamese artillery to counterattack. Under his watch he kept this vital protection over 99 percent operational, far above average. Sometimes he was so efficient that his comrades were able to launch counter mortar fire even before the incoming enemy mortars landed. His stellar skills did not go unnoticed; unbeknownst to him, he was chosen by his superiors to be honored for meritorious service for his high level of performance," the statement from Smith's office said.
But the recommendation was somehow lost. More recently, the medal had been denied for technical reasons during the past 15 years.
But Smith in August was able to convince the Secretary of the Army to cut through the red tape and approve the Bronze Star Medal, his office said in the statement.
The medal, with Bednarski’s name engraved on the back, arrived from Fort Knox in late September.
And Saturday it was presented to him by Smith.
“I had faith, faith in Congressman Smith and his staff, faith that one day it would come to pass,” said Bednarski. “It’s been a long time—55 years—but it’s exciting that day has come.”
“It was years of red tape that we had to cut through,” said Smith, who first reached out to the Army in 2007 when Bednarski contacted him after learning from a fellow soldier who received the Bronze Star for the same job and felt strongly that Bednarski deserved it as well.
“George played by the rules. He was patient. He filled out forms. He searched for witnesses, including people in his chain of command who recommended him for this award. It took years. In the end, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth agreed with us that he was deserving of the Bronze Star. It is extremely overdue, but extremely well-deserved. We appreciate the Secretary’s actions,” Smith said.
During his service in Vietnam, Bednarski said he was driven to perform at his best at all times because of the dangers faced by all from the enemy mortar attacks.
Smith said Bednarski even volunteered to stay for two extensions of his tour, simply to ensure his replacement would learn the job before he left.
“George did his duty at the highest level possible—and lives were saved because of it. He did his duty and then some. He went above and beyond the call,” Smith said. “He should wear that Bronze Star with pride.”
Bednarski, who had volunteered to serve in Vietnam, said his skill set in electronics learned in the Army enabled him to land a job at IBM, where he rose through the ranks during a 39-year career to the position of a regional manager. He lives in Wall with his wife, Karen, who was at his side on Saturday.
Secretary Wormuth wrote to Smith, “It is an honor to award this recognition in honor of Mr. Bednarski’s dedicated and faithful service to the nation.”
Smith's office explained that the Army first denied the medal in 2008 for a lack of a recommender in his chain of command and again in 2021 when Bednarski returned with a recommendation from a Chief Warrant Officer in his chain of command who was adamant that he deserved the medal. In May, Smith took the evidence and appealed directly to Wormuth who ultimately agreed, and ordered the Army Decorations Board to again review Bednarski’s case. There is more information about the correspondence and background here.
Bednarski requested that Smith be the official to present the medal, and Smith also presented him with a U.S. Flag flown over the Capitol.
“To this day, George serves his fellow veterans as a trained Veterans Service Officer, helping them navigate the often-confusing maze of the Veterans Administration,” Smith said. “It’s not Vietnam, but it nonetheless takes many small battles to help the men and women who’ve worn the uniform to receive the VA services they need—and earned,” Smith said.
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(Photo courtesy Rep. Chris Smith's Congressional Office)
