Sergeant Gary Beikirch
Award: Veterans’ Hall of Fame Year: 2005 Sergeant Gary Beikirch, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, truly embodies the military’s teaching of the value and significance of service to others above self. He feels that the most personally satisfying contribution of his life has been to impact and instill the truth of this ideal to our young people. Sergeant Beikirch served in the U.S. Army Special Forces at the height of the Vietnam War. He is most distinguished for his performance during the defense of Camp Dak Seang, where he is credited for saving the lives of many. For his heroic efforts, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Combat Medic Badge, Vietnamese Jump Wings, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. Sergeant Beikirch’s impressive record of community service is further evidence of the values instilled in him through his military service. He volunteers for numerous veteran, church, and community organizations which include the Veterans Outreach Center, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Board, NYS Council VVA, Special Olympics, Open Door Mission, and Cephas Attica. He is often asked to be the keynote speaker at local colleges, ROTC Commissioning Services, as well as various community events. Sergeant Beikirch was recently appointed Chaplin of the Medal of Honor Society.
https://www.nysenate.gov/profiles/2005/joseph-e-robach/sergeant-gary-beikirch
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