Nicholas S. H. Krawciw

Nicholas Stephen Hordij Krawciw (November 28, 1935 – September 29, 2021) was a United States Army Major General who served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, and served as commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division from 1987 to 1989.

Early life and education Krawciw was born on November 28, 1935, Krawciw earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and later received a Master of Science degree in international relations from George Washington University.

Military career Krawciw was one of the first members of his class to go to Vietnam, and was severely wounded in an ambush. After recuperating, Captain Krawciw commanded a cavalry troop at Fort Hood where he co-invented an advanced armor system for ground vehicles, a composite system similar to that later incorporated into tank design.

Following a tour in the Tactical Department at West Point, Major Krawciw returned to Vietnam as S-3 of the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry. During a year of intense fighting along the DMZ, Nick was awarded three Silver Stars and was instrumental in devising new tactics and counter measures that frustrated a tenacious enemy.

The culmination of his efforts was the refusal of the Ukrainian Army to disperse the Orange Revolution demonstration that ultimately overturned the fraudulent election of 2004, thus justifying the years of dedicated effort Krawciw and other American officers had spent to achieve a democratic Army in Ukraine. Some of the programs Krawciw organized or participated in were Operation Peace Shield and Operation Sea Breeze.

Krawciw was instrumental in establishing educational exchange programs with the Ukrainian military, devoting many hours to sponsoring and escorting both military and civilian groups from Ukraine around the United States.

Honors Krawciw received the West Point Distinguished Graduate Award in 2006. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2013.

Awards and decorations Krawciw's awards and decorations include the Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal (four total, two for valor), eight Air Medals and the Purple Heart. Krawciw was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal in 1984 and the Army Distinguished Service Medal in 1990.