Gary Kurpios
Era: Vietnam
Military Branch: Army
Mr. Kurpios served in the US Army from 1967-69. In Vietnam, he served with the 541st Transportation Company providing convoy security throughout the central highlands.
He was awarded the:
National Defense Service Medal,
Vietnam Service Medal and four bronze service stars and the
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Mr. Kurpios was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on August 31, 2006, at the VFW 107th National Convention, held in Reno, Nevada. He is the first member to be elected to this office from Alaska.
In 1970, Mr. Kurpios joined VFW Post 1539 in Babbitt, Minnesota, where he became a life member in 1976. He earned the title of All American Post Commander. Gary transferred to VFW Post 9785 in Eagle River, Alaska in 1985 and is currently a Life Member of VFW Post 9365 in Wasilla.
He has served as the Department of Alaska Service Officer for the last 19 years and as Department Adjutant for the past 17 of those years. Mr. Kurpios was elected Department Commander status in 2001.
Mr. Kurpios completed a four-year millwright apprenticeship and graduated in 1977 from Minnesota’s Lake Superior State College in Duluth. He also attended Vermillion Community College.
Mr. Kurpios is a member of the Military Order of the Cootie, American Legion and Vietnam Veterans of America. In 1999, he received the Alaska Community Service Medal. He was selected Vietnam Veteran of the year for St. Louis County in Minnesota by President Jimmy Carter and recently completed a two-year term as Governor Tony Knowles’ appointee to the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council.
Mr. Kurpios and his wife, Nancy, reside in Anchorage. They have three grown children.
