Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) yesterday presented military service awards to 10 local World War II, Vietnam, and Korea veterans. The military service award ceremony is part of Congressman McHenry’s ongoing effort to recognize local veterans and their contributions to our country, both at home and abroad.

“These courageous servicemen are responsible for ensuring the very freedom we Americans hold dear,” said Congressman McHenry. “I’m truly humbled to be a part of honoring these heroes and their loved ones with awards signifying the sacrifices they made for our country. We are fortunate to have these men of valor in our community, setting lasting examples for what it means to be a true American.”

Congressman McHenry is leading efforts to identify Tenth District veterans who either have not received or need replacements for military service awards they earned during their tours of duty. Thursday’s presentation marked the second ceremony the Congressman has devoted to presenting military service awards to local veterans.

Tenth District residents thinking that they or their family members are eligible to receive military service awards should contact Joanna Rowe in Congressman McHenry’s Hickory office at (828) 327-6100.

List of yesterday’s military service award recipients:

• James Tillman (Gastonia, NC): Purple Heart Army Commendation Medal & Oak Leaf Cluster Bronze Large (Double), Good Conduct Medal & Clasp Bronze 2 Loops (Good Conduct #2), National Defense Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (Single), Vietnam Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (Quadruple), Armed Forces Reserve Medal & Hourglass Devise Bronze, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal & Oak Leaf Cluster Bronze Large, NCO Professional Development Ribbon & Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device, Expert Badge & Auto Rifle Bar, Army Retired Lapel Button
• Ronald Bowman (Granite Falls, NC): Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), Expert Badge with Machine Gun Bar, Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, Parachutist Badge- Basic
• William Johnson (Morganton, NC): Bronze Star Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), Expert Badge with Machine Gun Bar with Rifle Bar
• Johnny Headrick (Newton, NC): Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal
• Mark Nolan (Vale, NC) (accepted in his honor by his 17-year-old son, Matt): National Defense Service Medal, Marksman Badge & Rifle Bar
• Charles Cardwell (Lenoir, NC): Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (with clasp), National Defense Service Medal 1 Bronze Star, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal 3 Bronze Stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Expert Rifle Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation
• Fred Rowe (Conover, NC): National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar
• Billy Dowdle (Glen Alpine, NC): Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, MCMMRB Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross medal Color with Palm)
• Robert Bailey (Spruce Pine, NC) (accepted in his honor by his four children): Bronze Star, Purple Heart, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII
• Donald Porter (Cherryville, NC): Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Longevity Service Award with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm