DEFAZIO TO PRESENT PRESTIGIOUS BRONZE STAR MEDAL TO SIX WORLD WAR II VETERANS TODAY

May 7, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) will today, May 10, present six Bronze Star medals, four posthumously, to U.S. Army veterans who served in combat over sixty years ago during World War II. President Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal by Executive Order in 1944 to recognize that U.S. Army ground troops endured the greatest hardships and suffered some of the heaviest losses of the war.

Veterans or their family members from Albany, Coquille, Corvallis, Lebanon, and Myrtle Point will receive the Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious service in the European, African, and Pacific theaters. Brigadier General (Retired) Norm Hoffman, Oregon Army National Guard, and members of the local Army community will also attend.

In recent months, Congressman DeFazio has helped qualified World War II veterans in his district receive their Bronze Star medals. Many veterans do not even know they are eligible for the award.

World War II U.S. Army veterans or their family members are encouraged to contact Congressman DeFazio’s office to learn more about eligibility information and assistance with military medals.

The following veterans will be honored at the ceremony:

Medals recipients: Private Lloyd Marshall

Private First Class Roger Petersen

Posthumous Awards: Private First Class Dwight Fisher

Private Herbert Groat

Staff Sergeant Alfred Helget

Private Lavern Noyes