Stanley Dudka (1923-2008) was a decorated Canadian hero of
World War II, and a Fishery officer who played a role in international fisheries monitoring.
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World War II service
Dudka joined the
North Nova Scotia Highlanders
The North Nova Scotia Highlanders was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army founded in 1936. In 1954, it was amalgamated with The Pictou Highlanders and 189 LAA RCA Battery to form 1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (North).
History
...
, a
Nova Scotia regiment, at 16 years old.
[
He landed on ]Juno Beach
Juno or Juno Beach was one of five beaches of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944 during the Second World War. The beach spanned from Courseulles, a village just east of the British beach Gold ...
on June 6, 1944, during the Battle of Normandy. He was wounded, and captured by German forces on June 7. While in captivity he witnessed the murder of other Canadian soldiers by General Kurt Meyer of the Waffen SS.[
]
He later testified against Meyer.
Dudka made three escape attempts before he made his way back to the Allied zone, where he was able to rejoin his regiment.[
Dudka was awarded the Military Medal for distinguished service at ]Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace () is a London royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It ...
by King George VI
George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of Ind ...
.[
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Civilian life
Dudka was a coal miner from 1946 through 1958, when he started a distinguished career as a fishery officer.[
Dudka and his wife had 12 children.
Twenty-five of his descendants attended the commissioning of the CCGS ''S Dudka''.][
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The CCGS ''S Dudka''
In March 2013 Fisheries and Oceans Canada launched a fishery patrol vessel named in Dudka's honour—the CCGS ''S Dudka''.[
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References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dudka, Stanley
1923 births
2008 deaths
Canadian people of World War II
People from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Canadian recipients of the Military Medal