“I supported all the people, especially those on the front line, who had constant contact with the enemy forces,” Bednarski said. “This award is not for me being a hero but rather supporting those heroes in the field and others supporting them and their mission. 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." 

   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 recommendation, however, was somehow lost in theater.  More recently, the medal had been denied for technical reasons over the past 15 years. But U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04-Manchester) did not give up the fight and in August was able to convince the Secretary of the Army to cut through the red tape and approve the Bronze Star Medal.  The medal, with Bednarski’s name engraved on the back, arrived from Fort Knox in late September.

     Now 77, Bednarski was presented with the Bronze Star Saturday morning 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.” Congressman Smith is a ‘Veteran's Congressman.’”

     He said he was driven to perform at his best at all times because of the dangers faced by all from the enemy mortar attacks.

     “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 Bednarski even volunteered to stay for two extensions of his tour, simply to ensure his replacement would learn the job before he left.

     Why the delay? 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 is adamant that he deserved the medal. In May, Smith took the evidence and appealed directly to the Secretary (click here to read Smith’s letter to Wormuth), who ultimately agreed, and ordered the Army Decorations Board to again review Bednarski’s case. Click here to read letters by 1^st Sgt. Richard Green and Chief Warrant Officer Vernon DeBord to written to Smith.

     Secretary Christina 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.” Click here to read the Secretary’s Sept. 14 letter.

     “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, N.J., with his wife, Karen.

     At the request of the veteran, Smith presented the medal at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1838 in Manasquan, NJ, where Bednarski is a member.

     “To this day, George serves his fellow veterans as a trained Veterans Service Officer (VSO), 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.”

PHOTOS: Top: George Bednarski in Vietnam shown holding an M79 grenade launcher, leaning against an American 105mm howitzer. Lower:  George with wife Karen, and Rep Smith on Oct. 8, 2022 in Manasquan.

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