Gary Gregory Beylickjian

Sgt. Maj. Gary G. Beylickian (Ret.) US Army, of Forestville, MD passed on January 13, 2018 at the age of 86. Born in Boston, MA the only child of Rose Kalistian Beylickjian and Aram Beylickjian. Gary grew up in Boston, MA attending and graduating from Brighton High School. After high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Army. His military career spanned for almost 27 years. He requested service as an Infantryman in the Korean War in 1951, served two combat tours and rose to the position of Heavy Machinegun Platoon Sergeant, H Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division and was there until 1953 with a third tour from 1960-1963. He was wounded in action on November 23, 1951 on Hill 355, North Korea. He also served a tour in Vietnam (1968-1969), Germany, Hawaii and Contiguous United States. Gary retired in 1977 and during his Military career was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal (1 OLC), Marksmanship Awards, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and Purple Heart for the wounds he received in Korea. As a Photojournalist, whose coverage of several presidential funerals and multiple Army newsworthy events won him the National Press Photographers Award (Army Division) in 1963 and 1965. He was the first enlisted person to be inducted in the Public Affairs Hall of Fame in February 2000. He was also named the first enlisted Chief of Army Newspapers (1971). Gary also produced several hundred issues of Post -30, a publication for Army newspapers. He was instrumental in initiating journalism programs such as the Army Newspaper Modernization Program, the Army Newspaper Critique Program, the J-Award and the Master Craftsman Award. Gary embodied the military spirit. He was always willing to take on the mission and he pursued every opportunity to tell the story with his images and words. Those images and words awarded him several commendations for his work in photography and journalism. Gary was honored to be selected to participate in the burial of former President Herbert Hoover in West Branch, Iowa in 1964. Passionate about his beloved wife and life partner Yong Beylickjian, she pre-deceased him in 2007. Gary also enjoyed his family, The Washington Redskins, model railroading, loved listening to classical music (Nielson’s 4th and Beethoven’s 9th), was an avid Frank Sinatra fan and was intense about anything that included words, reading and writing. He enjoyed his many visits and conversations from “Russia with love” from the Khoruzhev Family (Gennadii, Olga and Anastasia). He is survived by his children, Robert G. Beylickjian (Jennifer) of Pittstown, NJ, Gregory H. Beylickjian (Alena) of Severna Park, MD and Mary B. Woolworth of Gaithersburg, MD; beloved grandfather of William Beylickjian of Pittstown, NJ. GGB will be laid to rest with Full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gary Gregory Beylickjian please visit our Sympathy Store.