Portrait of Lt. Col. Barry Gasdek now on display in IUP’s Pierce Hall, home to the Department of Military Science
Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate Lt. Col. Barry Gasdek, the recipient of awards for heroism and military service, including the Distinguished Service Cross, was the keynote speaker for IUP’s 2025 Veterans Day dinner, which included the unveiling of a portrait commissioned in his honor on display at IUP.
The annual event includes the presentation of the Theta Chi Heroes Scholarship. The 2025 recipient of the scholarship is Fox Vanleer, a history major from Indiana. Son of Jeffrey Vanleer and Carlie Vanleer, he is a 2022 graduate of Indiana Area High School.
This scholarship is presented in memory of First Lt. James Flannery, a 1969 IUP graduate and member of Theta Chi, and Captain Robert Young, a 1967 graduate, both of whom were killed during the Vietnam War; and FBI Special Agent Gregory Spinelli, a 1970 graduate and Theta Chi alumni, who was killed in the line of duty in 1973.
A native of Westmoreland County and graduate of Derry High School, Lt. Col. Gasdek currently makes his home in Laramie, Wyoming.
“Veterans Day reminds us of the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of those who have served—and continue to serve—our country,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said during the event.
“This year marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of ROTC at IUP, a program that has shaped generations of leaders—men and women who have gone on to serve with distinction in every branch of the military. ROTC’s legacy is woven into the fabric of our university, and tonight, we celebrate its enduring impact. This year we are also marking the 150th anniversary of IUP’s opening– a milestone that reminds us of our deep roots and our forward-looking mission,” he said.
IUP President Michael Driscoll presents remarks during the Veterans Day ceremony
“The Theta Chi Heroes Memorial Scholarship is a powerful example of that mission in action, and tonight, we also have welcomed and honored Lieutenant Colonel Barry Gasdek, whose portrait will be a lasting tribute to his service and leadership. Lieutenant Colonel Gasdek, your story—and your example—will inspire generations to come,” President Driscoll said.
“Thank you for this honor, it was unexpected but deeply appreciated,” Lt. Col. Gasdek said. “I’m humbled to be honored alongside these fallen brothers who all paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country.
He shared stories about his service as a captain, commenting that “those were intense lessons in teamwork, leadership, and survival. I learned earlier that life would always be tough—but that I had to be tougher.
“Teddy Roosevelt said it best in his ‘Man in the Arena’ speech—‘it’s not the critic who counts, but one who steps forward—who risks, learns but dares greatly, whose face is marred with dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly even when he fails.’ Those words still resonate. True growth and achievement come only when we step into the arena—to do the right thing—whether in the military, in sports, in the classroom, or in our communities. Character is forged not by comfort but by challenge. I know mine was shaped not just on the battlefield, but at home in Loyalhanna and Derry, in Pennsylvania’s public schools, and right here at IUP.
Lt. Col. Barry Gasdek, honored during the 2025 Veterans Day event, presents keynote remarks
“Responsibility, discipline, friendship, and patriotism were values I carried through a lifetime of challenges and opportunities. My motivation has always been very simple: I never thought I was good enough to achieve what others did, so I used that doubt as fuel—to accept challenges, give my best, and, as the Army says, be all that you can be. I think I’ve met most of my goals—and I’m still looking forward to the next challenge,” Lt. Col. Gasdek said.
He ended his remarks by thanking those in attendance for “your friendship, your support, and for keeping ROTC and IUP strong.”
Lt. Col. Gasdek was honored in 2015 with the Distinguished Alumni Award and in 2025 with a doctor of public service honorary degree from IUP. He has provided decades of support to the university, including to its proposed college of osteopathic medicine, and a lifetime of service to others.
A retired Airborne, Ranger, and Pathfinder infantry soldier, Lt. Col. Gasdek’s heroic military service in Vietnam earned him many of the nation’s highest honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Soldier’s Medal, five Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and 17 Air Medals. Following his retirement from the Army in 2012, he received the honorary designation of colonel.
Beyond his military achievements, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to supporting veterans, military families, and future leaders through his leadership in national and state organizations.
Carl Amenhauser, a 1967 graduate and Theta Chi Fraternity alumnus who manages the Theta Chi Fraternity Scholarship Fund, presents the 2025 Theta Chi Heroes Scholarship to Fox Vanleer, a history major from Indiana.
An Army Reserve ambassador emeritus, Lt. Col. Gasdek served as the Legion of Valor national commander in 2008–09 and currently serves on its board of directors. He is also president of the Association of the US Army’s Wyoming Cowboy Chapter, past Wyoming State director with the American Legion Boys’ State, past Region III and current state commander with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Military Outreach director with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, under the US Department of Defense.
He is active in multiple civic, military, and private organizations and has established valuable working relationships with military support organizations, veterans and local service organizations, state and community leaders, and the US government.
Lt. Col. Gasdek is a life member of numerous organizations, including the Legion of Valor, US Army Ranger Association, Association of the US Army, National Infantry Association, CIA, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Americal Division Veterans Association, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, University of Wyoming Veterans Task Force, Laramie Area Chamber of Commerce, Czechoslovak Society of America (now CSA Fraternal Life), Lions Club, and Rotary International.
Additionally, he is an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow (Vigil) member of Boy Scouts of America; a former board member of the Miss Georgia Pageant and Springer Opera House, State Theatre of Georgia; a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society; and an inductee in the Hall of Valor at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Pittsburgh; the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in Vails Gate, New York; the US Army Cadet Command’s Army ROTC Hall of Fame; the University of Wyoming’s Cowboy Battalion Alumni Hall of Fame; the IUP Army ROTC Hall of Fame; and the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame. While at IUP, he was an athlete of the year and played in three sports: football, wrestling, and track and field.
He is also a recipient of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award, the Association of the US Army Soaring Eagle and Leadership awards, the Wyoming Outstanding Military Outreach Coordinator award, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Lifetime Achievement Award and Volunteer Award, two Lions Club International Leadership Awards, and three US President’s Volunteer Service Awards.
A former commissioner and veterans service officer with the Wyoming Veterans Commission, he has served as grand marshal of parades commemorating IUP Homecoming, Memorial Day in Cheyenne, and the Green River Rendezvous in Pinedale, Wyoming. He was also the subject of a US Senate tribute noted in the 2012 Congressional Record.
In addition to his IUP degree, he earned a master’s in counseling-psychology from Georgia State University.
Since 1951, when the first lieutenants were commissioned from the then-Indiana State Teachers College, the program has commissioned more than 2,300 lieutenants. Twelve of those lieutenants have risen to the highest ranks of the Army and Air Force as general officers: MG Leonard Hoch, a 1959 graduate; LTG Joseph Laposata, a 1960 graduate; MG Rodney Ruddock, a 1965 graduate; MG Larry Gottardi, a 1971 graduate; BG William Boardley, a 1972 graduate; MG Thomas Csrnko, a 1974 graduate; BG Robin Swan, a 1978 graduate; MG Leslie Miller Purser, a 1980 graduate; MG Bryan Owens, a 1983 graduate; BG Kelly Wakefield, a 1985 graduate; MG Kurt Crytzer, a 1985 graduate; and BG Jennifer Walkawicz, a 1995 graduate.
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As IUP celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025 and through the Impact 150 comprehensive campaign, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking to its next 150 years of student success, innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.
Barry D. Gasdek, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army
In 1964, Second Lt. Gasdek served with the 4th Armored Division in Bamberg, Germany, and in October 1967, he was sent to the 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. His job was to first bring the 4th Battalion to full strength and then, in just five months, train and equip the soldiers they would lead in Vietnam’s jungles during 1968, which would become the deadliest year of the Vietnam War. The 4th Battalion arrived in Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, in March 1968.
On September 22, 1968, then-Captain Barry Gasdek was serving as company commander of Company D, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade, Americal Division in South Vietnam.
On that day, Captain Gasdek was commanding Infantry Company D during a combat sweep near Duong Da. When his unit came under intense enemy fire, Gasdek exposed himself to the hail of bullets to encourage his men, fire his weapon, and hurl hand grenades at the aggressors. Informed that there was an armored cavalry troop nearby that could assist him, he took two men and went to direct four armored personnel carriers and two tanks to the battle site. As he returned with the APCs, all four were hit by rocket-propelled grenades. Wounded in the leg by grenade fragments, Gasdek ignored his injury and continued on to his men and organized the evacuation of the wounded to the tracks. He crawled more than 100 meters to the vehicles while carrying the most seriously injured man on his back, and placed him in the medic tracked vehicle.
He then returned to his unit to make sure all casualties were evacuated and to gather weapons and radios to prevent the enemy from capturing them. When one of his radio operators was killed and the other wounded, Gasdek administered first aid to the injured man and carried the radio equipment himself. He then directed helicopter gunfire within 10 to 25 meters from his position, allowing his men to withdraw and establish a night location. The following morning, he led an attack on the enemy, forcing them from the area. During the engagement, he received a shrapnel wound in the back and leg, but again refused evacuation.
Gasdek then received a call from his superiors that they wanted prisoners. Spotting a bunker that was still active, he had one of the tanks drive on top of the bunker, which crushed it and buried men inside. Gasdek’s soldiers dug out the enemy troops trapped beneath the rubble, retrieved two NVA from the debris, and sent them to the rear for interrogation.
Captain Gasdek’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him the US Army’s second-highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.