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Halyard Mission
Airlifted 512 downed Allied airmen from Nazi occupied Serbia to safety without the loss of a single life or aircraft
7,500 Serbian soldiers from Ravna Gora defended the airlift of the Halyard Mission
Above: The Forgotten 500, by Gregory A. Freeman.
The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II
"An amazing but unknown World War II adventure story."
"It will take your breath away."
"Destined to become required reading for serious students of the Second World War." "Reads like a fast paced novel."
"A riveting account... superbly told.
Above: The Bronze Star Medal (or BSM) is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations. (Picture and description can be found at Wikipedia.com)
Captain George M. Vujnovich was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his heroic actions during WWII
Above: Captain George M. Vujnovich at the award ceremony, receiving the Bronze Star.
The following text can be found at:
Liberty Newspaper Vol. 58 Issue No 18 (October 10, 2010) "Honoring Captain George M. Vujnovich" by Rep. Dan Burton:
Operation Halyard evolved in wake of the Allied bombing campaign to destroy Nazi Germany's vast network of petroleum resources in occupied Eastern Europe. The most vital target of bombing was the facilities located in Ploesti, Romania, which supplied 35 percent of Germany's wartime petroleum. Beginning in April 1944, bombers if the Fifteenth Allied Air Force began a relentless campaign to blast the heavily guarded facilities in Ploesti in an attempt to halt petroleum production altogether. By August, Ploesti was virtually destroyed - but at the cost of 350 bombers lost, with their crews either killed, captured, or missing in action.
The assault on Ploesti forced hundreds of Allied airmen to bail over Nazi-occupied eastern Serbia, an area patrolled by the Allied-friendly Chetnikguerrilla army.
Captain Vujnovich made it his personally crusade to get the airmen home.
By the time the Operation (Halyard) was officially ended, Vujnovich's team had airlifted 512 downed Allied airmen to safety without the loss of a single life or aircraft - a truly impressive accomplishment.
Above: Book about the Halyard Mission by Dr. Ljubo Vujovic, President, Tesla Memorial Society of New York. This book contains important documents about the Halyard Mission, including letters from four American Presidents (Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon and Reagan) thanking the participants for saving the lives of over 500 American, Canadian, French and English Airmen.
Above: Art Jibilian at the age of 20, during which time he voluntarily parachuted behind enemy lines in Pranjane, Serbia, 1944, to rescue more than 500 downed American airmen. Jibilian was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor but died before he received the Medal. Click here for more information
Above: This banner was displayed at the "Parade of Heroes" in Toledo, Ohio by American hero Jibby Jilibian. This banner commemorates the historic "Halyard Mission" and was made by Mr. Ilija Jaksic, Businessman from Ridgewood, New York and Dr. Ljubo Vujovic, President, Tesla Memorial Society of New York.
Above: Dr. Ljubo Vujovic, President, Tesla Memorial Society of New York with Art Jibilian at the award ceremony. Dr. Ljubo Vujovic is holding a photo of the 'Forgotten 500'.
Above: Captain Lalich and Jibilian are composing a message to send over radio to Bari, Italy.
Above: George Vujnovich (standing, right) greets Nick Lalich (standing, center, with mustache) and the last group of downed airmen returning from Pranjane, Yugoslavia, on December 28, 1944. Jibby Jibilian is kneeling in front of Nick Lalich.
Captain George M. Vujnovich was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his heroic actions during WWII
The Bronze Star was awarded to Captain George M. Vujnovich on October 17, 2010 in the St. Sava, Serbian Orthodox Church, Manhattan, New York City.
Above: St. Sava.
Above: Serbian Orthodox Church, St. Sava at 26th Street, Manhattan, New York City.
Above: Captain George Vujnovich with family at the award ceremony.
Above: Audience at the award ceremony.
Above: Slideshow at the award ceremony taken from teslasociety.com.
Above: Speechers at the award ceremony, from left to right: Congressman Joseph Crowley, Nenad Milinkovic, President of St. Sava Cathedral Board and Branko Radosevic, Ambassador, General Consul of Serbia.
Above: Award ceremony, from left to right: Toni Orsini, surviving American Airmen, Captain George M. Vujnovich, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Nenad Milinkovic, President of St. Sava Cathedral Board.
Above: Award ceremony, from left to right: Toni Orsini, surviving American Airmen, Captain George M. Vujnovich, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Nenad Milinkovic, President of St. Sava Cathedral Board.
Above: Dr. Ljubo Vujovic, President, Tesla Memorial Society of New York and Michael Dendecker, New York State Assemblymen, who gave a New York State Citation of Recognition to Captain George M. Vujnovich.
Above: Dr. Ljubo Vujovic, President, Tesla Memorial Society of New York and Congressman Joseph Crowley who gave Captain George M. Vujnovich the Bronze Star Medal at the ceremony.
Above: The banner honoring "The Forgotten 500" was made by Ilija Jaksic, businessman from Ridgewood, New York and honored by Dr. Ljubo Vujovic. This banner was displayed by the Serbian Orthodox Church in San Diego, California. Dr. Ljubo Vujovic gave this banner as a gift to New York State Assemblymen Michael Dendecker and Congressman Joseph Crowley.
Above: Branko Radosevic, Ambassador, General Consul of Serbia and Dr. Ljubo Vujovic, President, Tesla Memorial Society of New York.
Above: Captain George M. Vujnovich giving an interview to NY1.