Gregory Buczynski was born on December 21, 1945, to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin and Tessie Buczynski. His home of record is Flemington, NJ. He had one brother, Walter, and one sister, Diana. Greg graduated from Hunterdon Central High School in 1964. He continued his education at Campbell College in North Carolina, and after one semester transferred to the University of Utah. He was studying forestry management when he enlisted in the US Army.

Buczynski joined the US Army. He completed his basic training at Fort Polk, LA, Fort Gordon, GA, and Fort Benning, GA. At Fort Benning, he received his paratrooper wings. He also won the Army 500 plaque for an almost perfect 499 score of a possible 500 points for physical combat proficiency. He attained the rank of Private (PVT).

Buczynski was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Division as a paratrooper when he was killed by a land mine. He arrived in Saigon on May 12, 1966, and was killed less than a month later. On June 10, 1966 at the age of 20, Buczynski was killed in action and died in the 3rd Field Hospital in Vung Tau. Gregory was the first Hunterdon County resident to be killed in Vietnam. He is buried in Saint Magdalen Cemetery in Flemington.

He was also survived by his mother, Tessie Buczynski.

Sources: Reading Fleming Middle School, newspaper clippings and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024