David Vuich

BELGRADE, REPUBLIC OF SERBIA – Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic Wednesday bestowed the Knighthood of the Order of St. Sava upon longtime Serbian-American leader and former Midland, Pa., resident David Vuich. The Order is a civil decoration awarded, in this instance, in recognition of and gratitude for the recipient’s numerous achievements and services to the sciences, the Republic of Serbia, and its people.

Vuich and his wife, Ginger, are the invited guests of the Republic of Serbia, and will participate in a series of high-level meetings with government, parliamentary, and university leaders and officials as well as address various organizations during their visit to Serbia.

“It’s the honor of a lifetime to receive this recognition. I am deeply humbled and grateful,” said Vuich. “It is especially meaningful and moving because St. Sava is an essential part of our identity, faith, history and culture as Serbs.”

Vuich has been recognized by the Republic of Serbia on previous occasions. Prior to his visit to Belgrade, Vuich received the Mother Serbia Award for humanitarianism from the Serbian Ambassador to the United States and the Order of the Karadjordjevic Star First Class presented by President Aleksandar Vucic. Vuich is only the second American to receive this honor, the first being General John “Blackjack” Pershing of World War I fame.

David Vuich is a first-generation Serbian American. His parents, Mitar and Milka from Okucani, Slavonija, immigrated to the United States and in 1912 settled in a small steel town in Pennsylvania, where they raised their son and family. His father entreated his son, saying “You are most fortunate to have been born an American, however, do not forget where your heart is from…always remember your Serbian heritage and help your people in need,” a sacred pledge Vuich made and has kept his entire life.

The Serbian American graduated with a Masters in Business and Industrial Sciences from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cerritos College, California State University. He was also a U.S. Air Force officer and aviator (active duty and reserves).

Vuich carved a distinguished and diverse career marked by several historic achievements of national and international significance. He is the last member of the legendary “Serbo 7 Apollo Space Launch Team,” the talented group of Serbian-American scientists and engineers of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing project at NASA’s prime contractor, North American Aviation. This team is widely credited with the success of the historic U.S. moon landing mission in 1969.

Vuich is a highly recognized and accomplished leader, executive, entrepreneur, business and military aviator, strategic advisor, and international commercial and military aircraft sales executive. His career and professional experience span nearly a half century in the U.S. and global aviation and aerospace industries, aviation and airport operations and services as well as in the military and civilian government sectors. He also served as a senior professional staff member and principal advisor to the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Aside from his remarkable professional career and accomplishments, Vuich is widely known in the United States and Serbia as a prominent diaspora leader, advocate, and organizer engaged in Serbian-American affairs. He founded and led the first Serbian American Voters Alliance in 1986 to give Serbian Americans a stronger voice and influence in the political process in order to challenge legislation offensive to Serbia. Together with his wife, Ginger, Vuich has helped promote and strengthen U.S.-Serbian relations. Vuich was also the initial Chairman of the Tesla Science Foundation as well as a Board Member of the US-Serbia Business Council.

Since his retirement, Vuich continues his signature vigorous pace and active engagement, serving in the leadership of multiple organizations.