Gary B. Beikirch '81

Gary B. Beikirch (1947-2021) was a Vietnam War veteran, Medal of Honor recipient, educator, counselor, and lifelong advocate for service to others. Born in Rochester, New York, Beikirch enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and fulfilled his aspiration of becoming a Green Beret, serving as a Special Forces combat medic with the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam.

On April 1, 1970, during a fierce enemy attack on Dak Seang Special Forces Camp in Kontum Province, Vietnam, Sgt. Beikirch repeatedly risked his life to rescue and treat wounded soldiers despite suffering multiple serious wounds himself. Refusing medical attention until others had been cared for, he continued evacuating casualties and administering lifesaving aid under intense enemy fire. For his extraordinary courage, selflessness, and devotion to his comrades, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, by President Richard Nixon in 1973.

Following his military service and recovery from combat injuries, Beikirch devoted his life to helping others. SGT. Beikirch attended SUNY Brockport to work on his master’s in education, which he received in 1981, and then in 1990 he earned his Certificate of Advanced Study. He worked with veterans, students, and families, serving as a school counselor and mentoring countless young people throughout Western New York. He was a middle school teacher and a high school counselor in the Greece Central School District before his retirement.

He became widely respected not only for his heroism in combat but also for his humility, compassion, and commitment to community service.