Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the Halyard Mission Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:50:27 +0200
I would like to inform you of the memorial celebration that took place on Galovica Field, in Pranjani, Serbia on Saturday, 15 August. To commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the beginning of the Halyard Mission, the US Embassy organized a wreath laying ceremony at the site of the first flights that rescued over 500 US airmen. With the assistance of the Serb Ministry of Defense and the Serb Ministry of Labor and Social Policy the event was a successful commemoration of the mission. It is important to note that this is the first time the Serb government has officially recognized and participated in such an event commemorating the partnership of US-Serb forces during this mission. Here is an example of the press coverage of the event: 65th Anniversary of Evacuation of 500 American Pilots The 65th anniversary of Operation Halyard was marked on Saturday in Pranjani, near Gornji Milanovac, during which the joint team of Yugoslav Royal Army and American service evacuated more than 500 American airmen during World War II, Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) reported. The representatives of the US Embassy in Belgrade, Ohio National Guard, Serbian Government and Army of Serbia laid the wreaths on a monument in Pranjani. Charge d’Affaires Jennifer Brush led the delegation of American Embassy in Belgrade, and the USAF Attaché John Capello was also present. Brush said that America could never forget what Serbian people did for their airmen. Some 1.000 members of US Air Force were struck down in the summer of 1944 above the occupied Yugoslavia, and the significant number ended up in Serbia. During the serie s of day and night flights, the joint team of Yugoslav Royal Army in the country led by general Draza Mihailovic and American Service for Strategic Affairs evacuated more than 500 American airmen from the village of Pranjani. The rescue mission included the action of low-numbered troops against German forces and this jeopardized the whole village protected by American military staff. Operation Halyard was marked as one of the most successful rescue mission behind enemy lines in the history of warfare, RTS reported. You will also find some photos of the event. It was a beautiful day in Pranjani, and there was a terrific turnout. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. All the best, John John Cappello Lt Col, USAF Air Attaché, DAO Belgrade Tel: (+381 11) 306-4658 Mob: 065 651 5970 This message is UNCLASSIFIED based on definitions provided in E.O. 12958.
