Peter C. Photis, 90

Peter C. Photis, 90, of Lancaster, died Monday, April 11, 2011 at St. Anne’s Retirement Community.  Born in St. George Sikousis Chios Greece, Pete was the son of the late Konstantinos and Irini (Loumaris) Fotis.  He was married to Koula (Hahalis) Photis for 63 years.

A corporal with the US Army 101^st Airborne during World War II, Pete also volunteered his services as a commando with the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), participating in raids against the Nazis during their occupation of Greece.  During World War II, Pete was a valiant member of the Company C 2671, Special Reconnaissance Battalion, also known as the Greek – United States Operational Group (USOG) which contributed to the Allied Victory in Europe and the liberation of Greece  from 1943 to 1945.  This Battalion was founded in January, 1943 by an executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In  August, 1943, this battalion had completed seven grueling months of infantry
training at Camp Carson, Colorado.  Three officers of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) who visited Camp Carson, asked for volunteers to join guerrilla forces in Greece and Yugoslavia.  These volunteers were forewarned that the duty would be hazardous and that they should expect a high casualty rate.  The men had to be in excellent physical condition for commando and parachute training.

The volunteers were sent to two secret camps deeply isolated within Maryland, where
they received extensive training in guerrilla warfare from veterans of the French Resistance, and the British Commandos and OSS Officers.

Even though the likelihood of surviving was very low, Pete immediately and proudly volunteered his services as a means to show his pride as a U.S. citizen and for the opportunity to repay a debt to the country which provided a new life for him and his family.

For his courageous and fearless service under fire, Pete was decorated with a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, and a Presidential Citation.

Pete received honors at various ceremonies for his military service.  Ceremonies include the White House in Washington, D.C., CIA Headquarters in McLean, VA., Ft. Bragg, N.C., as the grandfathers of the U.S. Army’s elite Special Services (Green Berets), by the Greek Government in Athens, Greece in 1994, by the Greek Military in 2005, at which time a statue honoring the USOG’s was placed at the Alsos Military Park.  Pete was also honored b y the Order of AHEPA.

Pete was co-owner of The Village Night Club from 1953 until his retirement in 1995.

He was a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Pete was a member of American Legion Post #34, AHEPA Lancaster Chapter #71, and St. George Sikousis Society.

Important to Pete were his family and friends, the US Army and OSS.  He enjoyed traveling back to his village in Greece, and was a connoisseur of fine foods.

In addition to his wife, Pete is survived by his children, Gus P. Photis, husband of Dore, of Lancaster, Linda Photis of Tujunga, CA, George P. Photis, husband of Diane, of Lancaster, Paul P. Photis, husband of Krista, of Mountville, and 7 grandchildren, Peter, Haley, Alex, Jordan, Caroline, Blanca, and Gerardo.  The last of his family, Pete was preceded in death by his brother, Tom Fotis, and sisters, Kyriaka Perivolaris, Fotini Sahlanis, and Lemonea Treephos.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 15, 2011 at 11 AM at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Ave., Lancaster, PA 17602 with Rev. Alexander Goussetis officiating.  Interment will take place in Conestoga Memorial Park.  Viewings will be held Thursday from 6 until 8 PM at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543, with a Trisagion Service at 7 PM, and again Friday from 10 until 11 at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Pete’s memory to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, or to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 333-1/2 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. 20003-1148.  To send an online condolence, please visit snyderfuneralhome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100