Born of Hungarian immigrants, John Szilvasy enlisted in the Army serving from 1954 to 1957. After his discharge he pursued a life of ministry and was ordained by the Hungarian Reformed Church. In January 1966 he returned to the Army as a chaplain, and shortly thereafter was deployed to Vietnam with the 3d Special Forces. In the action that earned him the Silver Star, he saved the life of a former East Chicago neighbor, Steven Jaros. After his Vietnam service he continued to serve with assignments in Germany and Korea, as well as in CONUS. He earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate, and attended Yale for special training as a Hospital Chaplain. He retired as a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. Szilvasy was a Minister and Member of good stranding with the Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Churches. He served for 30 years for Special Forces Association Chapter 9 in El Paso, Texas.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Batallion:
2nd BattalionRegiment:
35th Infantry RegimentDivision:
25th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 14, 1967
Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 1358 (June 15, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) John Andrew Szilvasy, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a chaplain with the 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Shortly before dawn, on 14 March 1967, the forward fire support base of the 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, came under and extremely heavy enemy mortar attack. A large number of personnel were wounded during the mortar barrage. Unhesitatingly Captain Szilvasy left the safety of his bunker to assist in the treatment and evacuation of the wounded. Throughout the mortar attack the inspiring figure of Captain Szilvasy was seen moving about the perimeter. Coming upon a seriously wounded man and unable to move him due to the severity of the wound, Captain Szilvasy remained with him while the attack continued. Offering the ultimate in personal sacrifice, he used his own body to shield the wounded man from the deadly mortar fragments which filled the air. When the injured man ceased to breathe, Captain Szilvasy administered mouth to mouth resuscitation, which kept the soldier alive until he could be safely evacuated. Captain Szilvasy’s extraordinary heroism and devotion attest to his unimpeachable character and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
35th Infantry RegimentDivision:
4th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 14, 1967
Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 1358 (June 15, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) John Andrew Szilvasy, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a chaplain with the 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Shortly before dawn, on 14 March 1967, the forward fire support base of the 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, came under and extremely heavy enemy mortar attack. A large number of personnel were wounded during the mortar barrage. Unhesitatingly Captain Szilvasy left the safety of his bunker to assist in the treatment and evacuation of the wounded. Throughout the mortar attack the inspiring figure of Captain Szilvasy was seen moving about the perimeter. Coming upon a seriously wounded man and unable to move him due to the severity of the wound, Captain Szilvasy remained with him while the attack continued. Offering the ultimate in personal sacrifice, he used his own body to shield the wounded man from the deadly mortar fragments which filled the air. When the injured man ceased to breathe, Captain Szilvasy administered mouth to mouth resuscitation, which kept the soldier alive until he could be safely evacuated. Captain Szilvasy’s extraordinary heroism and devotion attest to his unimpeachable character and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.