Honor A Veteran

Vincent J. Muraski, Sr., US Army

1920 - 2009

The Honor-A-Veteran Committee commemorated the life of Vincent J. Muraski, Sr. at a ceremony held January 3, 2012 at the Joseph E. Zaloga Post 1520 in Albany.

Vincent J. Muraski, Sr., a lifelong Albany resident, enlisted in the US Army in 1943 and became a staff sergeant in the famed 79th division, 315th infantry. Vincent was awarded the highest Army honors for his bravery and heroism. In November 1944, Vincent used anti-tank grenades to singlehandedly stop a group of German counter-attacks at Epinal Hill in Southern France. His brave action disbanded dozens of Germans and merited him the Silver Star. He was also awarded a Bronze Star for his heroism in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland Campaigns. During the Normandy invasion, Vincent carried his friend, who was unable to swim, to safety under heavy fire. Vincent was also awarded the Purple Heart when he suffered flesh wounds to his shoulder and back in the Rhineland Campaign at Hatton.

After his service, Vincent returned to Albany and worked as a milkman at Normanskill Farm Dairy and later worked at the U.S. Postal Service in Latham. He was an avid and talented golfer, and even when he went blind at age 71, he continued to play golf with the Capital District Blind Golfers League. Vincent was an active member of Our Lady of Assumption Church, the Joseph P. Zaloga American Legion Post, Military of the Purple Heart #5303, Colonie Elks #2192 and the Albany Polish American Citizens Club.

The Honor-A-Veteran ceremony is held the first Monday of every month to honor a deceased veteran of the community.

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