Greek Operational Group (OSS) Soldier Monument
Details:
In the center of the park in an open grassy area.
The Soldier Memorial Monument is a 1-meter bronze statue sculpted by noted California artist Mr. Andrew G. Saffas. It depicts a WWII soldier, alert and ready for combat. The statue is positioned on a 2-meter marble base, where a plaque is attached in the front commemorating the names of the courageous volunteers, and another in the back mentioning the names of the 50 Greek American individuals, groups and families, who contributed financially to the completion of the project. The monument was dedicated on May 26, 2005.
Some background information on this OSS Unit from the Saffas Art webpage:
COMPANY C 2671st SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
aka Greek/US Operational Group
The genesis of Co. C 2671 Special Reconnaissance Battalion was the 122nd Infantry Battalion (aka the Greek Battalion). Founded by an executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the battalion was designated the 122nd to commemorate 122 years of Greek independence following 400 years of Ottoman rule.
By August 1943, the 122nd had completed seven grueling months of infantry training at Camp Carson Colorado, under the superb leadership of Major Peter D. Clainos, the first Greek-born West Point graduate. OSS officers advised the battalion that they were seeking volunteers for a covert, hazardous mission, and that the casualty rate was expected to be very high. According to Major Clainos all of the battalion volunteered. Initially the OSS officers asked for 15 volunteers, but after the battalion was reviewed they revised the number to 200.
The 200 volunteers were sent to Maryland for commando training; because his rank was too high to command a small unit, Major Clainos was transferred. Lieutenant Robert F. Houlihan of Lexington KY was appointed the Commanding Officer of the Greek Operational Group. The Greek Battalion was disbanded, and the men were assigned to other Infantry Units.
In 1944, the Greek/US Operational Group infiltrated Greece by boat or parachute, and joined forces with Greek Resistance fighters (Antartes). With support from British forces and the Antartes, the OSS commandos disrupted the German withdrawal from Greece by destroying bridges, convoys, trucks, trains and railroad tracks, which aided the Allies. The war record of the Greek/USOG is one the best kept secrets of WW II; the records of all the Ethnic Operational Groups were kept sealed by the CIA until 1988.
Continuing a Hellenic tradition of courage, the valiant members of the Greek/US Operational Group contributed to the WW II Allied victory in Europe and to the liberation of Greece.
Monument Text:
The text is written in English and in Greek is reads:
IN HONOR OF THE VOLUNTEERS – GREEK AMERICANS, GREEK IMMIGRANTS AND AMERICANS – OF COMPANY C, 2671st SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION, U.S. ARMY, WHO, TOGETHER WITH GREEK RESISTANCE
FORCES IN 1944, FOUGHT FOR THE LIBERATION OF GREECE,
THE OCCUPIED LAND OF THEIR FOREBEARS
ΠΡΟΣ ΤΙΜΗΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΘΕΛΟΝΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΟΑΜΕΡΙΚΑΝΩΝ, ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ-ΜΕΤΑΝΑΣΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΑΜΕΡΙΚΑΝΩΝ ΤΟΥ Γ ΛΟΧΟΥ 2671 ΕΙΔΙΚΟΥ ΤΑΓΜΑΤΟΣ ΑΝΑΓΝΩΡΙΣΕΩΣ , ΤΟΥ ΣΤΡΑΤΟΥ ΤΩΝ ΗΠΑ, ΟΙ ΟΠΟΙΟΙ ΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΑΝ ΜΑΖΙ ΜΕ ΤΙΣ ΑΝΤΑΡΤΙΚΕΣ ΔΥΝΑΜΕΙΣ ΤΟ 1944 ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΠΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ, ΤΗΣ ΧΩΡΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΠΡΟΓΟΝΩΝ ΤΟΥΣ.
Under the top inscription there is a list of the 224 soldiers on a brass inscribed plaque:
BATTALION
Frank T. Blanas, Ronald J. Darr, Robert E. Eichler, Robert F. Houlihan, George W. Verghis, Gilbert I. Backman, George Chumas, John Giannaris, Paul J. Mackey, Michael P. Manusos, Donald E. Mort, George Papazoglou, Nicholas G. Pappas, Lon Peyton, Paul B. Pope, Theophanes G. Strimenos, Bernard F. Brady, Richard J. Daigle, Jr., Walter E. Gates, Apostolos G. Mihopoulos, Victor L. Miller, Peter M. Panagakos, Alvin G. Psinas, Christopher T. Saris, James J. Zevitas, Thomas K. Andrews, Jerry Apostolatos, James M. Apostolopoulos, Christ C. Christis, Harry Fergadiotis, Tom P. Georgalos, Mike C. Kountouris, George C. Kypriotis, Peter M. Laris, Steve J. Mastros, Peter M. Moshopoulos, Pete G. Paidis, Sam C. Poulos, Lyle M. Schneeberger, Anthony J. Serelis, James A. Thomas, John Bichekas, George G. Boosalis, David J. Christ, Nick H. Cominos, George M. Efstathiou, Steve J. Gineris, Dionisios Fotinatos, Demetrius Frangas, Paul N. Frangis, Alexander G. Gewlas, Andrew G. Grevis, Alexander Haritakis, George Hillias, Angelo H. Kaleyias, George S. Kalliavas. Demetrios G. Kamvouris, Andrew G. Karabatsos, George E. Katsaros, Alexander C. Katsias, Constantinos S. Katsikis, George N. Keramas, Gust Kitakis, Mihail G. Kondos, John M. Koutelis, Rudolph R. Kosisek, Peter Kurchock, George J. Kutulas, Trifon E. Lefakis, William Leonardos, Charles Liarakos, Christ G. Loulas, Angelo N. Lygizos, Lambros G. Makris, Theodore N. Markides, Steve P. Marthiakes, William G. Mehilos, Harris R. Mill, John P. Minogianis, Gus Nanos, Alekos X. Orkoulas, Gregory M. Pahules, Gus L. Palans, Nicholas D. Papapanu, James Papavassiliou, Spiridon B. Papayannakis, Peter C. Photis, Eleftherios J. Pipinias, John T. Pirpos, Bill Portolos, Georgios P. Portolos, Alexander C. Porysees, Theodore J. Poulakos, Arris Poulos, Martin Redovian, Norbert F. Rennie, Konstantine A. Salaris, Anthony G. Sampatacacus, Steven F. Segeti, Jr., Harry Shiomos, Christ Skiriotis, Peter Stamates, George J. Stathis, Minas C. Kavallieros, Bill G. Kirtatas, George J. Papastrat, Stephanos J. Philippides, Harry J. Pulos, William G. Seremetis, Steve Voulgarakis, Joseph C. Ciras, William S. Hortos, James S. Kavourhas, James A. Laubs, Dean M. Lowdermilk, Arthur D. Papoulias, Armando Sanches, Spiros T. Taflambas, Joseph F. Zien, James M. Zonas, John Bitsikas, Photios G. Doukas, Tasos J. Gianiotis, William Johnson, Gust C. Kraras, Louis G. Lenares, Pete H. Lewis, Anton Loukas, Andrew S. Mousalimas, Gust Mukanos, Alexander P. Phillips, Perecles P. Phillips, Spero Psarakis, Alexander Psomas, Nick E. Ramoundos, Hercules J. Sembrakis, Costas A. Theodorou, Paul J. Zarras, Arthur J. Agoritsas, James K. Alexatos, Harry T. Ameredes, Nick J. Amigdalitsis, Charles P. Antinopoulos, James Antonakis, Anargyros Antonopoulos, Gust J. Babalis, Constantin S. Bertakis, Aristides J. Boutselis, John C. Cacavias, Stavros E. Caragian, James Caroulis, James T. Drake, Cus Eliopoulos, George S. Tiniakos, Michalis Tsirmulas, Gus Vellios, Sotirios G. Vakakas, Nicholas A. Vanikiotis, Constantine Zahariades, John G. Glaros, George C. Karakitsos, Demetrios N. Polyzos, James A. Tsolas, Alex Vellis, Eleftherios T. Tsantes, John E. Tsouderos, Evangelo Agelopas, George J. Pappas, Thomas P. Soullas, John G. Katsikos, Paul Siapicas, Peter G. Anton, George T. Basiardanes.
Commemorates:
People:
Anargyros "Roger" Antonopoulos
Units:
122nd Infantry Battalion (Separate) (Greek)
2671st Special Reconnaissance Battalion
Company C, 2671st Special Reconnaissance Battalion
Office of Strategic Services (OSS)
OSS
OSS- Greek Operational Group
The Greek Battalion
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
