Stephen P. Topilnycky

Stephen Topilnycky enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1980 while still in high school. Upon graduation from high school in June 1981 he attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. After boot camp, Marine Topilnycky was assigned to NAS Lakehurst for MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) training as an Aircraft Launch & Recovery Specialist (7011). Upon completion of the MOS school, Stephen Topilnycky was assigned to the Recovery Section of Marine Air Base Squadron 49 (MABS 49), Marine Aircraft Group 49 (MAG 49), 4th Marine Air Wing (4th MAW), based in Willow Grove Pennsylvania. The unit was later redesignated as Marine Wing Support Squadron 473, Detachment A (MWSS 473 Det. A), (Marine Wing Support Group 47 (MWSG-47), 4th Marine Air Wing (4th MAW). Stephen Topilnycky was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in April 1990 obtaining the rank of Sergeant. Service Awards and recognitions include the Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal, a Meritorious Mass for Exceptional Duty, Recovery Section "Marine of the Year", and was also a nominee for "Marine of the Year" for the Squadron.

Stephen Topilnycky is a life member of this detachment and has served as Junior Vice Commandant, Senior Vice Commandant, and Commandant. Currently Stephen Topilnycky is the webmaster of this site.  Stephen Topilnycky's Marine Corps League awards include the following:

• Distinguished Service Medal (bronze)
• Distinguished Citizen Medal (bronze, 2 awards)
• Detachment Commandant Medal
• Department of New York Jr. Vice Commandant Citation (2004) for membership recruitment (5 new members).
• National Jr. Vice Commandant's Citation (2004) for membership recruitment (5 new members).
• National Jr. Vice Commandant's Citation (2005) for membership recruitment (6 new members)
• Marine Corps League Distinguished Service Award (2007) for his work on the Detachment web site.

Stephen Topilnycky is also a life member of the Marine Corps Association and the SATS/EAF Association.  The SATS/EAF Association is made up of former, retired, and active duty Marines with Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) 7002 (Officers) and 7011 (Enlisted).

Stephen Topilnycky and his wife Kelly reside in Westchester County, New York.