Friday, March 23, 2012

Congresswoman Schmidt Presents Medals to Local Veterans

Release:
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt recently presented medals to two Vietnam War veterans and the family of a deceased World War II veteran, who had requested her help in obtaining the commendations.

“The men earned these medals during their service with the U.S. military, and I was happy to help them obtain this long-overdue recognition,” Congresswoman Schmidt said. “I offered my thanks and gratitude to them on behalf of a grateful nation.”

Recognized during a ceremony at the Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown were:

George William Morgan III of Ripley in Brown County, who received the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze campaign star attachment, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with 1960 device, the Driver & Mechanic Badge with driver bar, and the Expert Badge & Rifle Bar.

John Brockhoeft of Peebles in Adams County, a Navy veteran who received the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, and the Vietnam Service Medal.

The late A.J. Clark, whose family accepted on the Navy veteran’s behalf his World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver battle star and two bronze battle stars, the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Discharge button, and the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Pin.

Mr. Clark entered active duty in the Navy on Nov. 10, 1943. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 22, 1945. Mr. Clark served aboard the USS Denver and participated in at least five major conflicts with enemy forces throughout the Pacific. Accepting the medals on his behalf were his children, George Clark of Amelia in Clermont County, Mildred Partin of Batavia in Clermont County, and Jerry Clark of Aberdeen in Brown County.

Mr. Morgan was inducted into the Army on May 24, 1966. He was honorably discharged from active duty on May 23, 1968, and later from the reserve component on May 23, 1972. Mr. Morgan completed basic training at Fort Dix and received combat engineer training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before being shipped to Vietnam. Mr. Morgan was attached to Headquarters Company’s 18th Engineer Battalion and spent a year in Vietnam at various locations and in harm’s way.

Mr. Morgan and his wife, Janet, have one son. Mr. Morgan has been a full-time DJ on local radio stations since 1982. He currently holds down the fort at WAGX-FM (101.3) in Maysville, Ky.

Mr. Brockhoeft began serving in the Navy on Aug. 14, 1969, and was honorably discharged on Jan. 30, 1973. He was trained as an aviation maintenance administrator and was assigned to the USS Ranger with the 7th Fleet in the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Brockhoeft was attached to Attack Squadron 25 and in charge of production control, quality assurance, and data analysis.

Mr. Brockhoeft and his wife, Joanne, have nine children. He is a long-distance truck driver.