The former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Honorable Benjamin A. Gilman; businessman Antonios M. Kounalakis, and retired Brigadier General Mike P. Cokinos will each be recognized for their courageous service in WWII with the 2012 Oxi Day Greatest Generation Awards, the Washington Oxi Day Foundation announced today. They will accept these recognitions respectively on behalf of American, Greek and Greek-American WWII veterans.
In 2011 Bob Dole, the former US Senate Majority Leader and presidential candidate, accepted this award for American veterans, for Greek-American veterans it was Andrew A. Athens and for Greek veterans, Panagiotis Sakellaris. This ceremony is part of the Oxi Day effort to keep alive the story of Greece’s crucial role in the Allies’ WWII victory and to inspire and recognize today’s comparable David vs. Goliath exhibitions of courage for freedom and democracy.
The 2012 honorees will receive this award at a moving ceremony at the National World War II Memorial on Wednesday, October 24th at 2:30 pm as part of the Second Annual Washington Oxi Day Celebration. The event will include keynote remarks by Assistant Secretary of Defense Zachary Lemnios and remarks by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. Other expected attendees include American policymakers, ambassadors and officials from other nations, military officials, WWII Veterans and Greek-American community leaders from across the country
To see pictures from last year’s event, click here.
The Honorable Benjamin Gilman
Gilman, who is accepting the Greatest Generation Award on behalf of American WWII veterans, is former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and one of the U.S. Congress’ greatest philhellenes.
Staff sergeant Gilman served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 as part of the 28th Bomb Squadron of the 19th Bomb Group. He was stationed primarily in the Mariana Islands and flew 35 missions over Japan. Staff sergeant Gilman earned the Distinguished Flying Cross that is given for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. He was also given the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters. That medal is given for single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service, and the Oak Leaf Clusters denote such additional acts. The Library of Congress has documented stories of Chairman Gilman’s service to his country in WWII. Gilman has maintained his service to his country and dedication to the freedom and democracy throughout his career.
Antonios Markos Kounalakis
Kounalakis, who will be accepting the Greatest Generation Award on behalf of Greek WWII veterans, served as a member of the Cretan Resistance Freedom Fighters under the direction of both Cretan and British generals from 1941 to 1945 along with his three brothers. The first meeting for the formation of the National Resistance of Greece took place in June, 1941 at their home in Vrises, Apokoronou, Crete.
Antonios served in the resistance throughout the war, delivering key intelligence throughout Crete and abroad to allies in Egypt. He is proud of his fellow Cretans, men and women, who fought hand in hand for their freedom and for the freedom of all mankind. He is receiving the award in recognition of the extraordinary role he and other Greeks played in inflicting a fatal wound that was instrumental to the defeat of the Axis forces in WWII.
Brigadier General Mike P. Cokinos
Cokinos, who will be accepting the Greatest Generation Award on behalf of Greek-American WWII Veterans, entered active military service for the United States Army after graduating from Texas A&M College in 1943. His first assignment was as a Forward Observer in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany. During World War II, he also participated in major engagements in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe.
On occupation day in Austria, his primary duty was to supervise and control 100,000 displaced persons in the Cumberland Area of Austria. He retired from military service as a Brigadier General, AUS, in 1980. His list of decorations includes the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, WW2-European Theater with 3 Battle Stars, Occupational Medal (Germany) and the American Defense.
Participation in this event at the WWII Memorial is free due to the generosity of our sponsors, but registration is required. Please RSVP to rsvp@oxidayfoundation.org.