The following is a translation of an article originally published in Hungarian in Magyar Krónika.
Lieutenant Colonel George Kovách, a member of the United States Military Mission and of Hungarian descent, sent a message to the Hungarian community in the United States.
‘It is vitally important that Hungarian Americans extend a helping hand to their compatriots in the homeland by sending the most essential items: condensed milk, cocoa for children, vitamins for pregnant and nursing mothers, clothing for the needy, and medicine for those seeking healing. And who among us is not in need of healing—whether physical or spiritual? Therefore, I urge Hungarian Americans to give immediately and even beyond their means. May their generosity never fall short.’
The lieutenant colonel’s efforts proved effective, as evidenced by photographs in the Fortepan collection showing the presentation of medical supplies donated by Hungarian Americans in front of the United States Military Mission headquarters.
Kovách—in addition to his desire to help Hungarians in every possible way after the war—played a major role in returning the Holy Right Hand, which had been taken to Austria, back to Hungary.
George S Kovách was born in Debrecen in 1904 and attended high school in Budapest before completing his secondary education in the United States. After World War II, in 1945–46, he returned to Hungary as a member of the Allied Control Commission with the rank of lieutenant colonel, according to Magyar Hírlap. Kovách himself initiated his assignment to Hungary, and his language skills proved invaluable to the Americans.
The archbishop's representative sought out the officer of Hungarian descent, who willingly offered his assistance.
‘Archbishop Béla Witz visited me and asked me to bring the Holy Right Hand back to Hungary when we travelled to Salzburg. At first, fulfilling this request seemed impossible. But since I am well aware of what St Stephen’s Day means to Hungary, and how closely the presence of the holy relic is tied to its intimacy, I decided to help. When we arrived in Salzburg, we learnt that the Holy Right Hand was being kept in the treasury of Archbishop Rohrbach of Salzburg. We had to request permission from the Vatican to bring it home. I would like to note that one of the most significant aspects of the return of the Holy Right Hand is that, even before the peace treaty, Hungary was the first to get back something that had been stolen from it by the Nazis,’ Kovách later told Képes Világ magazine.
‘Even before the peace treaty, Hungary was the first to get back something that had been stolen from it by the Nazis’
As soon as permission arrived from the Pope, the Americans set off for Salzburg. However, upon arrival, they discovered that the archbishop had travelled to the Italian border—a destination difficult to reach, as the route passed through the Grossglockner, the highest mountain peak in the country. Amidst snowfall and strong winds, they managed to locate the archbishop, who was initially unwilling to hand over the relic, fearing it might be damaged on the journey home. In the end, he entrusted King Stephen’s right hand to the Americans, allowing it to return to Hungary.
The US Army returned the Holy Right Hand to Hungary in August 1945.The handover ceremony was officiated by Lieutenant Colonel Kovách, a Hungarian American.
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