South Bend, IN—Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly honored our nation’s veterans in a ceremony at the Center for History in which he presented medals to fifteen veterans who reside in north central Indiana.
“America’s brave veterans have made unparalleled sacrifices for our country,” said Donnelly. “On this Veterans Day, we honor their service and pledge to fulfill our duty to provide earned benefits to these courageous men and women. I am proud to present fifteen brave men with medals to display but a token of our gratitude for their valiant service to our nation.”
Veterans and their families are reminded to contact Congressman Donnelly’s district office at (574)288-2780 if they are missing any of their earned medals.
The following veterans received medals:
Clifford Dipert of Kingsbury served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1943 to 1946. He has earned the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button.
Frank Farkas of South Bend was involved in the invasion of the Philippines, the invasion of Okinawa, and was his company’s bugler during his time in the U.S. Army from April 1943 until January 1946. He has earned the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button.
Charles Graham of South Bend served in the U.S. Army from July 1951 to July 1953 in the 12th Infantry, 7th Division. He has earned the National Defense Service Medal.
Ernest Huskey of South Bend served in the U.S. Army from December 1951 until May 1972, during which he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He has earned the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, Expert Badge with Carbine Bar, and Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar.
George Kline of South Bend served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He has earned the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, WWII Victory Medal, and Honorable Service Lapel Button.
Russell E. Laycoax of Knox served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was a member of “Darby’s Rangers”. He was a prisoner of war and a Purple Heart medal recipient. He has also earned the Bronze Star Medal, POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Expert Infantryman Badge, and WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button.
William J. Long of Elkhart served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Global War on Terrorism from April 2003 to February 2004 and is currently serving with the Indiana National Guard. During his time in the U.S. Army, he earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Stephen S. Marozsan of South Bend served during WWII in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. He has earned the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Discharge Button, and Honorable Service Lapel Pin.
Bernard S. Nelson of LaPorte served during WWII in the U.S. Navy from August 1944 to June 1946. He has earned the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Discharge Button, and Honorable Service Lapel Pin.
Ross A. Portolese of Mishawaka served in the Army Air Corps over Europe in WWII from 1943 to 1945. He has earned the Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and WWII Honorable Service Lapel Pin.
William B. Reasor IV of South Bend served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He has earned the Air Medal and Numeral 30, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star attachment, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with 1960 Device, Marksman Badge and Rifle Bar, and Army Aviator Basic Badge.
Frederick Starke of Elkhart served in the U.S. Army. He has earned the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Luke Stigler of South Bend served during the Global War on Terrorism in Iraq and sustained injuries after encountering a land mine. For wounds received as a result of this hostile action, he has earned the Purple Heart.
Ronald A. Thomas of Argos served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He has earned the Purple Heart with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar.
Roy C. Watt of South Bend served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 until 1984. He has earned the Humanitarian Service Medal and an Honorable Discharge.
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