O.S.S. Vol Members To Receive Bronze Star

In February 1943 at the height of the Second World War, the Greek Government in Exile sought help from the U.S. military in support of the Greek resistance against the German occupation. The Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S., forerunner of the CIA) formed top-secret Greek Operations Groups (OGs) from the 122nd Infantry Battalion (Greek Battalion) at Camp Carson, Colorado.

After additional rigorous training in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and rural Pennsylvania, the nearly 200, mostly Greek-born and Greek-American soldiers and officers were eager to begin their secret mission, undeterred by advance warning that most would not likely survive fighting behind enemy lines. Chosen for their fluency or near fluency in Greek, their fitness to endure rugged service in the Greek mountains and their motivation to oust the Germans trying to occupy the land of their ancestors, eight Greek OGs were formed.

From April to September 1944, these teams were put into Nazi-occupied Greece to work with the Greek Resistance (Andartes) in fighting occupying forces. An important objective was to harass and slow down the German withdrawal and kill and wound Germans and destroy their equipment in order to reduce their effectiveness in the defense of Germany.

The story of the Greek-American OGs was highly classified for more than 40 years. The full story of these soldiers and their accomplishments was unknown even to the surviving participants. Most went on to other assign- in Europe and Asia. They returned home never knowing the enormous impact their mission had on events in Greece. Most never spoke of their experience with the O.S.S. for many years, even to their families.

Sixty-four years later, Greek Operations Group II will be honored at a ceremony at the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, 22-51 29th St., Astoria on Sunday, May 18th at 2 p.m.

Many years after the war, Captain John Giannaris recommended his men for an award for their service in Greece. The Defense Department agreed to the Bronze Star medal for each and a search began for survivors of OG II and descendants of the deceased. Only one enlisted man survives. During the ceremony, the Bronze Star will be presented to Alekos Orkoulas of Blauvelt, New York, by Giannaris, now a resident of Chicago, and to descendants of deceased members of OG II who reside in or near New York City- Gus L. Palans, Spiros Tafamblas, Peter M. Moshopoulos, James K. Alexatos and Steve P. Marthiakes. The Greek- American community in metropolitan New York, members of the OSS Society, families of OG II members and others, will honor them in this special ceremony.

The awards ceremony will begin with remarks by Steven Statharos, Esq. member of the O.S.S. Society and event co-chair, followed by screening of a short documentary film about the Greek Operational Groups recently produced by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation. Giannaris will speak and then present the Bronze Star medals. A reception follows the ceremony.

The search for descendants of other members of OG II by historian Robert E. Perdue Jr., and Steven Statharos, Esq. continues. Perdue has located other families in Alabama, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

For more information call, Nick Diamantidis, 917-770-8877.