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“Hailing from Hungary,<em> Akos</em> is characterized by a fierce pride and a strong determination. The sports world knows him as a prominent race walker and distance runner; the academic department recognizes him as a four-year star man; but we all know him as a humorous, amiable friend. His boundless ambition and perseverance assure his success in his future career.”</p>
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These words written by a 1964 classmate for the <em>Howitzer</em> are accurate and sincere, but serve only as an introduction to the complexity and nobility of Akos Szekely, who was affectionately known to many as “Zek.” Zek, whose birth place was Budapest, on 24 March 1942, was bom into the military. His maternal and paternal grandfathers were distinguished generals in the Hungarian Army. His father was a graduate of the Hungarian Military Academy and held the rank of Captain in 1951, when the family fled to the United States because they opposed the occupation of their homeland by the Russians, They settled in Silver Spring, Maryland.</p>
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Nine-year-old Zek accepted the new challenge at hand. He mastered the English language, made new friends, and excelled in academics in the grades and in Montgomery Blair High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, the Mathematics Honor Society, a letter winner in three sports, a member of the Key Club, a Star Scout. Upon graduation, he competed for a nomination to West Point.</p>
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Representative John R. Foley, 6th Maryland District, reported his selection from the large number of finalists with this remark:...the most unique, special and outstanding student I ever appointed to the United States Military Academy.” Zek came to West Point in July 1960. During Beast Barracks, he renewed a friendship with another Hungarian, Huba Wass de Czege, a classmate who had been a playmate in Germany while the boys, with their parents, were waiting transportation to the United States.</p>
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Zek was a soldier by instinct. He was very proud of his ancestry, but was equally proud of his newly adopted country. By his actions and speech, he displayed his loyalty and sense of duty, as well as gratitude for the opportunities afforded him here. He accepted discipline as one of the necessities of life. He had little tolerance for anyone who complained about limitations or who indulged in self-pity.</p>
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Zek’s manner was reserved, stately, and dignified, but also intense and calculating when approaching a challenge. He took the academic course in his stride and wore stars each year, graduating fifth in his Class. He was on the PIO detail, the Debate Council, a member of the Russian Club, and a letter winner on the cross-country and track teams. He also won many first places and distinguished himself as one of America’s best long distance race walkers.</p>
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After graduation, Zek earned his Ranger patch and his Airborne insignia and was assigned duty in Korea with an Engineer Battalion, where he commanded the 50th Engineer Company for thirteen months. In September 1966, he entered graduate school at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in June 1967, received a Master of Science Degree in Engineering. During this time, he also completed a special course at Harvard University and was invited to become a member of the Honorary Fraternity, Sigma Xi. While a student, he wrote, "I am aware that a good number of my friends are in Vietnam. Sometimes I feel guilty coming here to live in civilian comfort while my friends are overseas living in danger. Then I recall that after Massachusetts Institute of Technology my turn must surely come to live in the jungle. Over the long run, it equals out."</p>
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Captain Szekely left for Vietnam in October 1967 and spent a year as a company commander in the 63d Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. After the completion of this tour, he volunteered and was assigned to the mechanized Infantry as Commanding Officer of Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was killed in action while leading his men in heavy fighting at Tay Minh, 11 September 1968. He was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery.</p>
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No nation, be it said, could have had a nobler son.</p>
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An AKOS SZEKELY MEMORIAL AWARD was established on 4 October 1968 by the United States Citizens of Hungarian Descent and is described in the Congressional Record dated 2 April 1969, pages E3146-3147 in a speech by Honorable Gilbert Gude, Maryland Representative, part of which is quoted: “The representatives of the American Hungarian Federation, the Collegiate Society of Hungarian Veterans (MHBK) and the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Federation in Greater Washington and the City of Baltimore decided that, in recognition of excellence in spirit, mind and body as well as demonstrated loyalty to the United States of America, an award named AKOS SZEKELY MEMORIAL MEDAL will be established.</p>
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“It was also intended to perpetuate the example of Captain Szekely, who was killed in action in Vietnam, whose character traits, academic excellence and heroic death reflect the finest heritage of the Hungarian nation as well as of the Americans of Hungarian descent.</p>
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“The Akos Szekely Memorial Medal is awarded those United States citizens of Hungarian descent who:</p>
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a: were found as deserving the award because of their excellence in spirit, mind and body, and because of their demonstrated loyalty to the United States of America.</p>
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b: as citizens of the United States of America, completed their legally required or voluntarily assumed military service honorably.</p>
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c: demonstrated their adherence to the values of their Hungarian heritage.</p>
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d: are under 30 years of age. This age limit may be disregarded in instances when the prospective recipient was killed in action in defense of the United States of America or was highly decorated for heroism or other unusual form of military service.</p>
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"The Akos Szekely Memorial Medal is awarded annually and is issued to the recipients in the month of October, possibly in close connection with the commemoration of the Hungarian struggle for freedom in 1956.” Those of us who knew Zek will never forget him, and those who are yet to become acquainted with him will forever honor him. He had a trust in mankind and a conviction that right would triumph over wrong, not because man is destined to succeed, but because he is determined to succeed.</p>
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<em>—Carleton R. Crowell</em></p>