NOTES ON PEOPLE (08/09/98)

NOTES ON PEOPLE

Promoted to rank of brigadier general

WILMINGTON, Del. - After 30 years in the military, Col. Donald W. Hrynyshyn retired on July 17, at which time he was promoted to rank of brigadier general.

In addition to his tribute, Brig. Gen. Donald W. Hrynyshyn was awarded the Legion of Merit medal (among other awards) at his retirement ceremony.

Brig. Gen. Hrynyshyn began his military career as a second lieutenant in June 1968 upon receiving his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Delaware. Upon entering the United States Army, he completed the Signal Officer Basic Course. His first assignment was with the Office of the Secretary, Southeastern Signal School, Fort Gordon, Ga., as special projects officer.

In 1969, he was reassigned overseas as communications officer in the Republic of Korea and promoted to first lieutenant. He was cited for achieving the highest possible standards required of service with a nuclear-capable unit and awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

In 1971 he enlisted in the Delaware Army National Guard and served with distinction in several positions in the State Headquarters. He served as administrative officer, recruiting officer, operations and training officer, and command information officer. During this time he was promoted to major.

He served on a tour with the National Guard Bureau in the Mobilization Readiness Branch in 1975. He received the Minuteman Award for his accurate and timely processing of readiness reports.

In 1984 he was reassigned to the Troop Command Headquarters as the adjutant. He later served as the executive officer and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. His management and administrative skills earned him citations for the improved effectiveness, efficiency and readiness of the command, in addition to commendable inspection evaluations and completion of many highly successful projects.

In 1990 Brig. Gen. Hrynyshyn was reassigned to the State Area Command as deputy director of personnel. Through his continued display of leadership, he was promoted to colonel in 1993. He served as director of personnel and later as deputy STARC commander until his retirement.

In addition to his initial entry schooling, Brig. Gen. Hrynyshyn completed the Selective Service System Officer Basic Course and the Signal Officer Advanced Course, and graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He also completed the National Defense University's National Security Management Course and the Reserve Components National Security Course.

Brig. Gen. Hrynyshyn's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with one service star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three hourglasses, the Army Service Ribbon, the National Guard Bureau Recruiter Badge, the Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross, the Delaware Medal for Military Merit (3rd award), the Delaware National Defense Service Ribbon and the Delaware Physical Fitness Ribbon (6th award).

Brig. Gen. Hrynyshyn is the son of the Very Rev. and Mrs. Paul Hrynyshyn. The Very Rev. Hrynyshyn is pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Wilmington, Del. he is also the president of Ukrainian National Association Branch 247.

Named submarine's commanding officer

by Joseph Hawryluk

KEYPORT, Wash. - Cmdr. Stephen L. Szyszka of the U.S. Navy, has assumed the duties of commanding officer of the USS Henry M. Jackson as of June 26.

Prior to his command, Cmdr. Szyszka completed a two-year assignment as the U.S. naval attaché to Ukraine (1995-1997), as executive officer of the USS Henry M. Jackson (1993-1994), as executive officer of the USS Henry L. Stimson (1992-1993) and as combat systems officer on the USS Dallas (1988-1991).

A 1978 graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, Cmdr. Szyszka received his commission as an ensign in 1979, and following initial nuclear propulsion training and a year as an instructor at the Navy Nuclear Power School in Orlando, served his first sea tour on the USS Philadelphia (1982-1986) as chemistry/radiological assistant, main propulsion assistant and weapons officer.

He then attended the Defense Intelligence College, where he was awarded a master's degree in strategic intelligence in 1988 and served as an intern on the Joint Staff in the Deputy Directorate for International Negotiations.

The USS Henry M. Jackson is the fifth of the Navy's 18 nuclear-powered Ohio-class submarines. The Ohio class, at 560 feet long and almost 19,000 tons displacement, is the largest submarine ever built by the United States and is capable of speeds in excess of 20 knots and depths in excess of 800 feet. The crew consists of approximately 157 officers and enlisted sailors. Each of these ships is capable of carrying up to 24 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

Cmdr. Szyszka's decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy Achievement Medals, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbons, the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deploy-ment Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Cmdr. Szyszka, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., is married to the former Julia M. Fedyk of Philadelphia and lives in Keyport, Wash., with their daughter, Larissa, 5, and son, Stephen, 4. He is active in Plast and its Orden Khresto-nostsiv fraternity and a member of UNA Branch 360.