Manhasset Hills resident Lt. Col. Mike Bedryk takes command of New York National Guard's 369th Special Troops Battalion

Unit is part of the famous Harlem Hell Fighters Regiment

Latham, NY (01/26/2021) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Mike Bedryk, a Manhasset Hills resident and Iraq War veteran, took command of the New York Army National Guard's 369th Special Troops Battalion during a ceremony held on January 23 at the historic Fifth Avenue Armory.

The 369th Special Troops Battalion is part of the 369th Sustainment Brigade which traces its history back to the famous 369th Infantry Regiment which became famous in World War I as the Harlem Hell Fighters.

The regiment was an African-American New York National Guard unit which fought with the French Army and earned 11 unit citations for bravery under fire. The entire regiment was awarded the Croix de Guerre for gallantry under fire. Individually 171 of its officers and enlisted men were decorated with the Croix de Guerre or Legion of Honor.

During the COVID-19 response the 369th Special Troops Battalion played a key role in managing warehouse filled with medical supplies for the state.

Bedryk replaces Lt. Col. Todd Balog, a Saratoga Springs, NY resident who took command of the battalion in 2018.

Col. Seth Morgulas, the commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade, said he had faith in Bedryk's abilities.

"I am delighted to have you as the 369th Special Troops Battalion Commander. I know you are going to do a great job. I know you are the man to lead the 369th Special Troops Battalion forward," Morgulas said.

Bedryk is a Brooklyn native who earned a commission as a 2nd lieutenant through ROTC at Saint John's University in Queens, while earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management in 2000.

He graduated from Infantry Officer Basic Course and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. He served as a rifle platoon leader, a rifle company executive officer, and reconnaissance platoon leader.

He deployed to Iraq and served as an advisor to the Iraqi Army and as a brigade battle captain.

After a short break in service, Bedryk joined the New York Army National Guard in 2008. He served in various positions in the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, to include serving as a rifle company commander.

From 2010 until 2016 he served with the National Guard Bureau in Washington D.C. Initially he served as a strength maintenance officer and then as an admissions officer at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Bedryk returned to the New York Army National Guard in 2016 and served with the 42nd Infantry Division. He deployed with the division to the Middle East in 2020, serving in Saudi Arabia.

His awards and decorations include three Meritorious Service Medals, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Parachutist Badge.

He is a graduate of the Maneuver Captains Career Course, the Human Resources Management Qualification Course, and United States Army Command and General Staff Course. He also holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from Webster University.

In civilian life, Bedryk works as the Director of Admissions at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. He and his wife Maria have twin daughters, Gabriella and Anastasia.

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