8/13/2007
- Video of the 2007 Memorial Day Commemoration and Wreath
Laying at Arlington National Cemetery. AHF's annual Memorial
Day Commemoration was held on May 27, 2007 at Arlington National Cemetery.
This special 100th anniversary year included wreath laying at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier. [click
to see video] (Windows Media - 24 Mb)
5/27/2007
- AHF lays wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The
American Hungarian Federation's 2007 Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony
at Arlington National Cemetery included a wreath laying the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier. About 40 members and guests and throngs of tourists
witnessed the special ceremony as AHF President Atilla Micheller was escorted
by Lt. Col. Steve Vekony (US Army) and the First Califiornia Hussar Regiment.
Arlington National is the final resting place for a number of Hungarian
American Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Following the wreath
laying, the program included a remembrance and walking tour of Hungarian-American
gravesites.
AHF
Co-President Zoltan Bagdy led the group in prayer and then, with AHF Vice-President
Yvette Boone-Gorog, led a roll call honoring Hungarian-American military
present at the ceremony and those that had passed on. AHF Executive Committee
Chairman, Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi, led the national anthems of both nations
and gave a speech highlighting the millenia-old Hungarian committment
to fighting (and dying) for Democracy. Participants then went on a walking
tour of selected gravesites where the heroism of these fallen heroes was
remembered through the reading of their personal history.
Bryan Dawson Szilagyi commented: "This was a historic moment in
Hungarian-American history. What a great honor indeed to lay a wreath
at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Americans of Hungarian descent who
have fought and died in every American war since the War of Independence,
today paid tribute to not only their fallen brethren but to their fellow
Americans from all races and creeds. We honor and remember all those that
died for their country."
![AHF Co-President Zoltan Bagdy and AHF Vice-President Yvette Boone-Gorog led a roll call honoring Hungarian-American military present at the ceremony and those that had passed on.](images/2007_memorialday/hussars_zoltan_bagdy_sm.JPG)
Read about the 2006 Ceremony
"Fidelissimus
ad Mortem"
"Faithful unto Death"
The
American Hungarian Federation (AHF) established the Colonel Commandant
Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom to honor outstanding individuals and recognize
their life's achievements, dedication to freedom and democracy, promotion
of transatlantic relations, and meritorious contribution to society. The
award, AHF's highest honor, is open to Hungarians and non-Hungarians alike.
Inscribed on the medal is AHF's Motto, “Fidelissimus ad Mortem"
or "Faithful Unto Death,” which represents Hungarian American
historical committment to the United States. The motto was taken from
a letter written by former Hussar Officer Michael Kováts to Benjamin
Franklin. Kovats, known as a Founding Father of the US Cavalry, offered
his sword in service to the United States. On
May 11, 1779, Colonel Kovats gave his life in the American War for Independence
while leading the Continental Army cavalry he had trained in Hungarian
hussar tactics against a British siege of Charleston. The British remarked
that Kovats' forces were "the best cavalry the rebels ever had."
He is immortalized in the almost lifesize portrait by Gabriella Koszrous-Varsa
seen here. He is immortalized at the Citadel Miltary Academy in South
Carolina as they honor him and named "Kovats Field" after him.
The Hungarian Embassy, too, has a statue in his honor sculpted by Paul
Takacs and executed by Attila Dienes.
Just
as Kovats’ life and service is celebrated annually by US Military
Cadets at the Citadel, the motto reflects AHF virtues, and historically
and inextricably ties Hungarians and Americans together while symbolizing
Hungarians’ contributions and sacrifices to America’s beginning.
Among the oldest ethnic organizations in the US, AHF was founded in 1906
in Cleveland, Ohio, and established as an association of Hungarian societies,
institutions and churches to “defend the interest of Americans of
Hungarian origin in the United States.”
See [past Medal Recipients]
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![](images/kovats_medal_of_freedom.gif)
Hungarian-Americans Buried at
Arlington Cemetery
See below to learn more about the Hungarian Americans
buried at Arlington National Cemetery. To see where some of these heroes
are buried, [download the map]!
IF YOU KNOW additional Hungarian Americans buried in Arlington
National, please contact
us!
General Alexander Asbóth
(b. 12/18/1811, Hungary, d. 1/21/1868, Argentina)
Military Chief-of-Staff, US Minister
Asbóth was a General in the Hungarian Army. Following the Hungarian
democratic Revolt of 1848 against Austria, he followed Kossuth to the
United States in 1851. He offered his services to the Union when the Civil
War broke out. John C. Fremont appointed him a Brigadier General of Volunteers
and chief-of-staff. Seriously wounded three times during the war, he was
appointed to the rank of general in l864.
At
the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, he was wounded in the left arm. Despite
the wound, he saddled up next morning. His arm was later shattered and
a bullet lodged under his cheek in the Marianna engagement in Florida.
In 1866, he was appointed U.S. Minister to Argentina and Uruguay. The
wound in his cheek failed to heal, and on January 21, 1868, he died and
was buried in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He finally came home on October
23, 1990 to full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery thanks
to the Hungarian Freedom Fighters’ Federation. His grandson attended
the funeral and is in the Virginia National Guard. Read more about him
on Arlington
Cemetery.net.
BURIED AT:
SECTION 2
GRAVE: 1018-2
Major-General Julius H. Stáhel
(b. 1825, Hungary d. 12/4/1912, NY)
Congressional Medal of Honor
Hussar in the 1848 war of independence. Escaped with Kossuth to the United
States. Worked as a Journalist. At the outbreak of the Civil
War, organized the 8th New York Volunteer Infantry becoming lieutenant-colonel.
At the First Battle of Bull Run, 1861, he prevented Confederate forces
from advancing on Washington. President Lincoln personally expressed his
appreciation. Promoted
to Colonel and shortly afterwards, received his star as a brigadier general.
After Mosby's raid at Fairfax Court House, Lincoln summoned Stahel and
ordered him to take charge of the cavalry at Fairfax and raised him to
the rank of major general.
Stahel received the US Congressional Medal of Honor for
his bravery at the Battle of Piedmont in Virginia. While wounded, the
General led a cavalry charge which led to a Union victory. In 1866 President
Andrew Johnson
appointed Stahel consul in Japan where he succeeded in opening additional
ports to American trade. In 1884 he was made consul in Shanghai, China.
BURIED AT:
SECTION: 2
GRAVE: 988
Read more on Arlington
Cemetery.net or download Prof.
Stephen Beszedits' essay on Gen. Stahel for the Military Order of
the Loyal Legion of the United States
SSgt. Lászlo Rábel
(b. 9/21/1937, Budapest, d. 11/13/1968, Vietnam)
Congressional Medal of Honor
Laszlo earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam while serving in the 173rd
Airborne Brigade on November 13, 1968 “for conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity in action at the risk of his own life above and beyond
the call of duty.“ He distinguished himself while serving as leader
of Team Delta, 74th Infantry Detachment. Team Delta was in a defensive
perimeter conducting reconnaissance of trail networks when enemy
movement was detected.
As he and a comrade prepared to clear the area, he heard
an incoming grenade as it landed in the midst of the team's perimeter.
With complete disregard for his own life, he threw himself on the grenade
and, covering it with his body, received the complete impact of the immediate
explosion. By gallantry at the cost of his life in the highest traditions
of the military service, he has reflected great credit upon himself and
the US Army.
BURIED AT:
SECTION: 52
GRAVE: 1326
Read more on Arlington
Cemetery.net
Capt. Ákos Dezsö
Székely
(b. 3/24/1942, d. 9/11/1968)
Silver Star for Gallantry in Action
Captain
Szekely distinguished himself by heroic actions on 11 September 1968,
while serving as Commanding Officer with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th
Infantry near Ben Cui, Vietnam. His unit was established in its night
location when they came under intense fire from a numerically superior
enemy force. He immediately ran to the perimeter through heavy enemy fire
in order to direct his men’s suppressive fire, braving fierce.
With
complete disregard for his own personal safety, he moved about the bullet
swept area, and while engaging the enemy with his M-16 rifle, Captain
Szekely was mortally wounded. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably
to the successful completion of his mission and the defeat of the enemy
force. He appears to be the only Hungarian American whose tombstone uses
Hungarian accented characters. When competing for an appointment to West
Point, Representative John R. Foley, Sixth Maryland District, reported
his selection from the large number of finalists with this remark: “Akos
Szekely…the most unique, special, and outstanding student I ever
appointed to the United States Military Academy.” He would go on
to rank near the top in all of his academic courses and graduated number
five in his class on 3 June 1964, and has been recognized as the highest
ranking graduate of Hungarian ancestry from any of the United States Service
Academies.
BURIED AT:
SECTION 31
GRAVE:
1680
Also on the Vietnam Memorial, "The Wall" at
Panel 44W, Line 31
Read more about him [here]
and [here]
TEC5 Andrew Major
(b. Hungary 8/18/1921, d. 10/15/2004)
A
preeminent textile pioneer and legend in the textile industry, fondly
known as ''The King of the Mills.'' Born in Hungary and educated in Switzerland
and England, he served in the US Army as a decorated veteran of the Pacific
Theater. Born in Hungary in 1921, educated in Switzerland and England,
served in the U.S. Army as a decorated veteran of the Pacific Theater.
As former president of Collins and Aikman Decorative Fabrics, he presided
over the world's leading fabric group. He joined Mastercraft in 1946,
became president in 1960, assumed ownership in 1969, and is responsible
for the company's meteoric rise, which today provides employment for 3,500
and sales in excess of $350 million. The recipient of numerous industry
and civic awards, including the first Lifetime Leadership Award from Dupont
in 1995, which embodied his creativity, devotion and legendary status
in the industry. In 2002 he received ''The Trailblazer Award'' and was
inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame.
He will always be remembered for his wit, generosity and love of life.
In lieu of flowers the family asked for contributions to the Andrew Major
Scholarship Fund at Isothermal Community College, P.O. Box 804, 288 ICC
Loop Road, Spindale, N.C. 28160.
BURIED
AT:
COLUMBARIUM
COURT: 5
SECTION:
00
COLUMN: 10
NICHE: 6
Read more about him on Arlington
Cemetery.net
Capt.
Ödön Gurovits
(b. 1/21/1857, Budapest, d. 1/14/1902, Philippines)
Private, Corporal and Sergeant, Company C and Sergeant Major, 6th United
States Infantry, 16 Mar 1880 to 22 October 1886, Second Lieuetnant, 11th
United States
Infantry, 22 October 1886, First Lieutenant, 12th United States Infantry,
15 December 1893, Transferred to 11th United States Infantry, 16 April
1894, Captain, 2 March 1899. Died in BayBay, Leyte, Philippines. His wife,
Mary Brent Gurovits (1858-1929) is buried with him.
BURIED AT:
SECTION: 21
GRAVE:
143
Major
Nicholas Ferencz, III
(b. 1964, Cleveland, d. 9/11/2000)
US Marine Corps.
Served in Desert Storm. A weapons systems officer with 7 years service,
he and the pilot were tragically lost on September 11, 2000 as a result
of a mid-air collision between two F/A-18D Hornets near Yuma, Arizona.
Seen here is AHF's Lt. Col. Steve Vekony saluting Maj. Ferencz.
BURIED AT:
SECTION: MI
GRAVE: 22
CWO2 Alexander Ferencz
(7/19/1902 – 08/23/1975)
He served in the US Navy and was interred on 8/27/1975. He is buried with his wife, Emma.
BURIED
AT:
SECTION 66
GRAVE: 3201
S/Sgt. George Alexander de Holczer
(11/23/14 – 07/25/2003)
Born in the US, his parents (Louis John de Holczer and Sarolta
Anna Klára Putnoky de Holczer) and two siblings (Lászlo
and József) were born in Hungary. All became US citizens. Served
with the US Army Air Corps. During WWII.
COLUMBARIUM
SECTION: 6
SECTION:
00
COLUMN: 21
NICHE:
2
QM2 Steven Ganzberger
(b. 8/25/1924, d. 5/20/2011)
SILVER STAR
2 BRONZE STARS
US Navy in 1942-1945
Internment: 9/7/2011
Quartermaster 2nd Class Ganzberger enlisted in the Navy durign WWII in 1942, the day after his birthday. He would see action in the Pacific Theater aboard two different LCI’s (Landing Craft Infantry) and be on active duty for 36 straight months. By war’s end, he had been awarded 4 medals, 3 battle stars, 2 campaign bars, 2 ribbons, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, the Insignia for the Amphibious Forces, and Honor Guard responsibilities.
COURT: 8
SECTION: RR
COLUMN: 5
NICHE: 4
[Read his Memorial]
by his loving Grandson, and AHF member, Zach Morris
Maj. Zoltan J. Balogh
(b. 11/07/32, d. 12/04/82)
US Army, served in Vietnam. interned on December 9th, 1982.
SECTION: 13
GRAVE: 5264-A-1
STGSN Paul
Ivány
(b. 3/27/1950, d. 10/24/2005)
US Navy in 1977-1979
Internment: 12/20/2005
COLUMBARIUM
COURT: 8
SECTION: G
COLUMN: 24
NICHE:
2
M Gy Sergeant Dale R Csizmadia
(b. 8/2/1951, d. 9/29/1998)
US Marine Corps. Interned on 10/8/1998
SECTION:66
GRAVE: 2474
Thomas C. Cseak, Sr.
RD3 US Navy
(11/23/1941 - 02/28/2004)
SECTION: 6-MM ROW 27 SITE 6
Maj. Francis Csutoros
(b. 9/26/1955, d. 1/23/1996)
US Marine Corps, interned 2/6/1996)
BURIED AT: SECTION 6-MM ROW 27 SITE 6
Lt. Col. Zoltan Kato
(b. 04/09/1921, d. 01/25/2000)
US Air Force, interned 02/14/2000
COURT: 5
SECTION: B
COLUMN: 4
NICHE: 3
Zoltan is an alumnus of the University of Chicago who wrote the following memorial: "Zoltan Kato of Southfield, Michigan, died January 25, 2000, of prostate cancer. He was 78. Kato worked first for Motorola, then as a communications engineer for the Southeast Michigan Transportation Authority until his retirement in 1987. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is survived by his wife, Eleanore; a son, Ken; a daughter, Mary Le Compte; and six grandchildren."
LCpl. Attila Kovacs
(b. 10/25/1959, d. 11/11/2011)
Lance Corporal, US Marine Corps
Interned 3/19/2012
Attila Zoltan Kovacs, was born in Mansfield, Ohi. He was the son of Lajos and Mary (Lakatos) Kovacs. He served with the United States Marine Corp, the Army National Guard and the United States Army. He was very patriotic but was also extremely proud of his Hungarian heritage. He is survived by his parents, Lajos and Mary Kovacs; a daughter, Rikki (Brent) Kovacs; a granddaughter, Brianna Briggs; two sisters, Klara (Mark) King and Maria (David) Leu; and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives in Hungary.
COURT: N70
SECTION: C
COLUMN: 18
NICHE: 3
Cpl. John Joseph Kovacs
(b. 12/21/1907, d. 4/27/2001)
Corporal, US Marine Corps
Interned 8/9/2001
COURT: 6
SECTION: U
COLUMN: 4
NICHE: 4
CW04 Michael Kovacs
(b. 10/28/1919, d. 4/24/2005)
Chief Warrant Officer 04, US Navy
Served in WWII and Korea
Interned 5/11/2005
SECTION: 66
GRAVE: 2494
CPL Stephen J. Kovacs
(b. 8/29/1922, d. 6/15/2008)
US Marine Corps
Interned 7/22/2008 and his wife, Roberta, on 11/12/1999
COURT: 5
SECTION: EE
COLUMN: 19
NICHE: 1
Capt. William Kovacs
(b. 2/21/1923, d. 9/7/1985)
US Navy
Interned 9/10/1985
SECTION: 50
GRAVE: 424
Maj. Arpad Pauncz
(b. 01/13/1899, d. 01/15/1964)
US Army
Medical Corps. Served in WWII. Interned 02/27/1964
SECTION: 8
GRAVE: 292-A
A2C Arpad Sayko
(b. 04/30/1912, d. 07/05/2007)
US Air Force, interned 08/24/2007
COURT: 8
SECTION: XX
COLUMN: 18
NICHE: 3
Lt. Zoltan Robert Francis Szaloki
(b. 09/10/38, d. 01/08/62)
A native of Massachusetts, Lt. Szaloki served in the 427 Air Refueling Squadron and died in Vietnam.
SECTION: ME
GRAVE: 102
Did you know there are at
least 9 Hungarian American recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor?
Read more about Maj. General Asboth and other Hungarian American Military
Heroes on The Hungary Page's "Nobel Prize Winners and Famous Hungarians"
Military
Section.
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