Djuric at the Halyard Mission Exhibition in North Carolina

Serbian Ambassador to the USA Marko Djuric attended, at the invitation of the American Museum of Military Aviation and Special Operations, the commemoration of the "Halyard" mission in North Carolina, the Serbian Embassy in Washington announced.

Speaking as the guest of honor, Ambassador Djuric referred to the period when diplomatic relations between Serbia and the USA were established more than 140 years ago, highlighting the historical alliance between our two nations in both World Wars.

Speaking about the special role of the Serbian army and the Serbian people in the Second World War, Djuric pointed out that the values and libertarian principles for which our ancestors then fought side by side with the American allies are the same ones that bind the armed forces of our two countries even today; the clearest example is the cooperation between the Serbian Army and the Ohio National Guard, the announcement states.

Djuric reminded that two years ago, on the initiative of President Aleksandar Vucic, a memorial complex dedicated to the Halyard Mission was built and ceremonially opened in Pranjani, as well as that the commemoration of the anniversary of this military operation was included in the State program of commemorating the anniversaries of historical events of Serbia last year.

"I am proud that our peoples, our institutions and our governments honor the brave people who deserve it and continue to tell the stories that deserve to be told," added Djuric, the embassy reports.

In a separate conversation between Ambassador Djuric and the management of the museum, it was agreed that from next year the exhibition dedicated to Halyard Mission would be part of the permanent exhibition of the American Air Force and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, which is located near the largest American military base, Fort Liberty.

In addition to Ambassador Djuric, the president of the Halyard Mission Foundation, John Cappello, the joint forces special operations historian Bob Seals, as well as Major Steven Smith, a descendant of one of the American pilots rescued during this military action, spoke at this event, the embassy announced.

Operation "Airlift", also known in American military circles as "Operation Halyard", is the largest operation to rescue Allied pilots in the Second World War.

On the territory of Serbia, it was carried out in the period from May 1944 to February 1945 by members of the US Air Force, the Yugoslav Army in the homeland and the inhabitants of the village of Pranjani. It is considered one of the most successful rescue missions in the history of wars, carried out behind enemy lines.