Draft:George S. Wuchinich

George S. Wuchinich (Serbian Cyrillic: Ђорђе С. Вучинић also spelled Djordje S. Vučinić; (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 10 August 1907 – Mount Kisco, New York, United States, 29 November 1979 ) was a Serbian American intelligence operative in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II who was sent behind enemy lines in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, then under Nazi occupation, and China. He also was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross. He was awarded the cross in 1944 as Captain in Company B, 2677th Office of Strategic Services Regiment. The citation of his Distinguished Service Cross, read:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain [then First Lieutenant] George S. Wuchinich, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 2677th Regiment Office of Strategic Services, in action against enemy forces from 24 November 1943 through 26 July 1944, in the Balkans. Captain Wuchinich's descent by parachute into enemy occupied territory, his leadership, and his resolute courage in the face of great peril throughout the extended period, in the successful accomplishment of an extremely hazardous and difficult mission, exemplifies the finest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

George Wuchinich was the first American OSS officer on the territory under Tito's control. After the war, he was humiliated by American politicians and the press for his Slovene Partisan sympathies. In 1949, Wuchinich was the executive secretary of the "American Slav Congress of Western Pennsylvania" and when Senator Joseph McCarthy began a crusade to weed out what he perceived as a political threat to the American way, the Slav Congress was a good place to start.

During the McCarthy period in 1953 George Wuchinich was high on the blacklist and was summoned before the House Un-American Activities Committee as one of the 13 alleged communists in Pittsburgh. Wuchinich defended himself from his accusers by reading an order and citation awarding him the Distinguished Service Cross for parachuting into Yugoslavia. After several more futile questions, the Committee members realized that without proof or concrete evidence, their accusations couldn't stick.

George S. Wuchinich died on 26 November 1979 and was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.