Priatko Honored with Distinguished Alumnus Award

Norwin High School in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, recently honored LTC Col. (Retired) David Priatko, a JROTC Senior Army instructor at Stephens County High School, with a Distinguished Alumnus Award during the 2024 Knight of Distinguished Alumni Recognition Dinner on Thursday, May 23.

After graduating from Norwin High School in 1984, Priatko was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Upon graduating from West Point, Priatko was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry.

Following his initial Infantry Officer training at Fort Benning, Georgia, LTC Priatko reported to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in early 1990 where he was assigned to the 101 st Airborne Division (AASLT) to lead a 42-man infantry platoon. When offensive operations were initiated to mark the start of Operation Desert Storm, LTC Priatko led his platoon in the largest air assault operation in U.S. history, at that time. 

Priatko’s heroic actions significantly contributed to the successful seizure of the Darrai Airfield and Pumping Station, and, for his actions, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.

March 2000, as a newly promoted major, Priatko was assigned the Chief of Current Operations in the 19 th Theater Support Command, Republic of Korea. While serving in this capacity, he coordinated all current operations for the 19 th Theater Support Command (TSC), consisting of more than 11,000 personnel across 81 U.S. Army installations throughout the Korean Peninsula.

Other highlights of his military career include serving as the Brigade Logistics Officer for the 1 st Brigade, 3 rd Infantry Division. He planned logistics and coordinated sustainment, enabling the 1 st Brigade Combat Team’s successful attack on Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His unit was the first American unit to arrive in

Baghdad. Priatko would later return to Iraq for a one-year deployment in 2005 where he served as both the Battalion Operations and Battalion Executive Officer in 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment. 

Priatko retired from the Army on June 1, 2013, but still wears the Army uniform, serving as an Army JROTC instructor at Stephens County High School, bringing his total years of military service to 39 years. Also, for the past ten years, Priatko has served as the coach of the JROTC Raider Team and the Stephens County High School Rifle Team, achieving winning seasons and advancing to state semifinal competition every year. His program’s Academic and Leadership Team advanced to the National Finals six out of seven years. Priatko has received Teacher of the Year and Coach of the Year honors and was selected as Stephens County High School’s 2023-2024 STAR Teacher.