ICYMI: St. Joseph News-Press: Soldiers Recognized for Their Gallantry
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
"We need to recognize and support our veterans past and present," said Graves. "We wouldn't have the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today without our veterans."
Rep. Sam Graves R-Mo., is able to use his office to help veterans.
"We need to recognize and support our veterans past and present," said Graves. "We wouldn't have the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today without our veterans."
Often veterans don't know or simply didn't receive medals and decorations they earned. On Thursday, Mr. Graves recognized three veterans for their service to the country.
First Sgt. Maurice Hughes arrived in the European Theater of Operations in 1943 with members of the 35th Division. He said he entered France on D-Day.
Mr. Graves presented the combat veteran with a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and five other World War II campaign medals as well as a Combat Infantry Badge.
The decorated soldier served in an advanced unit on a reconnaissance patrol crossing the Rhine Rive.
"Something hit me in the back and down I went," Mr. Hughes said.
Asked how he survived, Mr. Hughes said: "I don't know, lucky I guess. My grandkids always ask what I liked best about the war. And I say those five or six weeks in the hospital. Then I knew nobody was after me."
The congressman also had the Department of Defense correct the veteran's official record to reflect the medals Mr. Hughes earned. With a new record in hand, Mr. Hughes said he was pleased to show his buddies at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1668 on Fourth Street. He's been a member for 70 years.
The family of Army Pfc. Glenn Dale Dozier contacted Mr. Graves. On Oct. 14, 1952, near Kumwha, North Korea, units of the 8th Army began a battle on Triangle Hill and Shiper Ridge with elements of the Chinese army. Mr. Dozier was killed during fighting on Oct. 18.
The congressman presented the soldier's brother Howard Dozier with a Combat Infantry Badge and the National Defense Service Medal in the presence of other family members and airmen from the 139th Airlift Wing.
Former Staff Sgt. Joseph "Joe" Proctor drove up Thursday from Liberty, Mo. For meritorious service in the Central Highlands of Vietnam between 1968 and 1970, he received a Bronze Star medal. Mr. Proctor's eyes teared as he thanked the congressman.
The soldier had earned the Bronze Star, an Air Medal and a Combat Infantry Badge.
"I knew they had to be or the Army wouldn't have sent it to my mother's house," Mr. Proctor said. "But my DD-214 (a service member's official record) didn't reflect the awards."
Mr. Graves gave Mr. Proctor an amended record that now reflects the decorations he earned while serving his country. Mr. Proctor said it was a proud day to stand tall.