Harry Franklin Zalesny, Jr.

United States Army

Vietnam War

1969 - 1969 KIA

 

Chief Warrant Officer

 

​2/20/1949 – 12/22/1969   Killed in Action  Phuoc Long Province, South Vietnam

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Harry Franklin Zalesny Jr was serving his country during the Vietnam War when he gave his all in the line of duty. He had enlisted in the United States Army via Reserve Military. He began his tour on 21 February 1969. His military occupation or specialty was Attack Helicopter Pilot.    He was attached to 1st Aviation Brigade, 145th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 334th Aviation Company, USARV.  Zalesny had the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.  

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During his service in the Vietnam War, Army Chief Warrant Officer Zalesny experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on 22 December 1969. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Died through hostile action .. air crash on land. Incident location: South Vietnam, Phuoc Long province. Shot down 4 miles east-northeast of Bu Dop.  Harry was killed while commander of a military aircraft on a combat operation when the aircraft was fired upon by hostile ground forces, crashed and burned. At the time, he had been in the Army less than 2 years.  He was only 20 years old.  

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In a message posted to the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Michael E. Lee writes   “I was in basic training, flight school and served in the 334th AWC. We (Michael and Harry) flew many missions together. Proud to have known him.”  In a later post, Michael refers to having ”… attended a reunion of Playboy pilots and air crew…. You [Harry] were a good man, very respected, and a skilled pilot.”  Harry’s Call Sign was PLAYBOY 18. 

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According to an article in The Community Crier, published October 11, 1995:  “Harry F. Zalesny Jr. watched the birds in the sky as a child – and he always wanted to join them.”  “He was a gung-ho kid as he grew up,” said James Maahs, adjutant for Plymouth Twp. American Legion Beasley-Zalesny Post 112, named after Zalesny.  “He always wanted to fly.”  Zalesny [was] honored for his bravery at a memorial ceremony at Mettetal Airport on October 14, 1995. In that ceremony, a memorial at the airport was dedicated to Zalesny, including a photo and all of his medals.  “Zalesny obtained his pilot’s license there [at Mettetal} before he even had a driver’s license”.  According to Maahs, “This was an individual that went to Vietnam, served there, was very highly decorated – gave his life to our country.” 

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For his service and sacrifice, Zalesny earned the Distinguished Flying Cross twice, the Bronze Star (Merit), the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Army Presidential Unit Citation.

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Harry Franklin Zalesny Jr. was born on 20 February 1949. He was the only child of Harry Franklin Zalesny Sr. and Margaret Bednorek Zalesny, of Plymouth.   According to our records Michigan was his home or enlistment state and Wayne county has been included within the archival record. We have Plymouth listed as his city.  Harry was survived by his parents, Harry F. Sr. and Margaret Zalesny.

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Harry Franklin Zalesny Jr. is interred at St. HedwigCemetery, Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Harry is remembered on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.  Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 15w, Line 84.