Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) recently honored four Catawba County World War II veterans during a special ceremony at the congressman’s district office in Hickory. They were part of a group of eight veterans receiving service medals from Congressman McHenry on Friday after his office researched their combat records and obtained the medals from the Department of Defense.

“Our nation owes these men a debt of gratitude for their service,” stated the Congressman. “The sacrifices they made have allowed the rest of us to remain free.”

Congressman McHenry presented the veterans with the following awards:

L.D. Keesler – Private, First Class – U.S. Army (Retired)
• Good Conduct Medal
• European/African/Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with One Bronze Service Star and One Silver Star with Arrowhead
• World War II Victory Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
• French Fourragere
• World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button
• Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar

Robert Sanford – Specialist – U.S. Army (Retired)
• Good Conduct Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
• National Defense Service Medal

Wilson Moser (Deceased) – Staff Sergeant – U.S. Army Air Corp
Mr. Moser’s B-29 was shot down over the North Sea.
Accepted posthumously by his daughter Allie Sue Ervin, grandson Jimmy Moser and granddaughter Vickie Moser.
• Good Conduct Medal
• Air Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Star Attachments
• World War II Victory Medal

Richard Ohmer – Sergeant – U.S. Army (Retired)
• Good Conduct Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal & Bronze Star Attachment
• World War II Victory Medal
• World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button
• Marksman Badge

“Many times, veterans do not realize that they are entitled to medals earned during their service until twenty or thirty years later,” explained Congressman McHenry. “And sometimes it is not until a veteran’s children or grandchildren begin looking into the matter that it becomes apparent just how much a veteran did - and the medals they deserve for their bravery and sacrifice.”

Tenth District veterans who believe they may be eligible for service medals they never received are encouraged to contact Joanna Rowe in Congressman McHenry’s Hickory office at 828-327-6100