The United States Constabulary

BRIG. GEN. ALBIN F. IRZYK (Ret.)

CAREER--COMBAT/TACTICAL.. Fought five WW II campaigns in Europe as a

27/28 year old Tank Battalion Commander (76 Tanks) in the 4th Armored Division which

spearheaded Gen. Patton’s Third Army all across Europe, and which relieved the

surrounded forces at Bastogne. Was wounded twice (Purple Heart OLC), was awarded

for extraordinary heroism the Distinguished Service Cross, and holds the Silver Star

(OLC), Bronze Star (3 OLC), Legion Of Merit (2 OLC). Served with the U.S.

Constabulary in the Occupation of Germany until 1947.

During the Cold War, he commanded the famed 14th Armored Cavalry

Regiment, the NATO “trip wire”, responsible for 300 miles of the “Iron Curtain” and the

Fulda Gap. His command was at maximum alert during the Berlin Crisis in August 1961

when the Berlin Wall went up and Krushchev threatened to block U.S. access to Berlin.

Served two years in Vietnam. During the first year, his Military Policemen

and Reaction Forces saved the U.S. Embassy, and other key installations in Saigon during

the TET attack of 1968. During his second year, as Assistant Division Commander of the

4th Infantry Division, he had over 600 combat hours in a helicopter supervising combat

operations, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and 11 Air Medals.

OTHER CAREER ASSIGNMENTS- Served on the Staff of the Commander in Chief,

Pacific in Hawaii. Was a U.S. delegate to several SEATO conferences in the Far East.

Served on the staff of the Commander Allied Land Forces Central Europe (NATO) in

Fontainebleu, France. Spent time commanding Ft. Knox, KY, and Ft Dix, NJ

*EDUCATION_BA Mass. State College (UMASS) 1940. Commissioned 2d Lieut.

Horse Cavalry (ROTC). MA International Relations, American Univ. Washington, DC.

Graduate Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and the

National War College, Washington, DC. For two years headed the U.S. Army Armor

School, Ft. Knox, KY. After retirement, was General Manager and acting Headmaster of

a private college preparatory school.

COMMUNITY SERVICE—Has served on such boards as The American Red Cross,

United Way, Rotary, and helped found Consumer Credit Counseling Service as well as

the Information and Referral Service.

*PERSONAL--He retired in 1971 at Ft. Devens, where he was the Commanding General.

He moved to West Palm Beach, FL, where he still resides with Evelyn, his wife of 59

years. They have three children—a son who is a graduate of West Point and the

President of a Management Firm. Both daughters are married to U.S. Marine Corps

Generals. He is the author of numerous articles that have been published in Military

Journals, and of the book entitled, “He Rode Up Front For Patton.” A book entitled,

“Gasoline To Patton, A Different War” has just been published.