Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) recently honored Iredell County Korean War veteran Oren Hawkins during a special ceremony at the congressman’s district office in Hickory. Hawkins was one 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.

Oren Hawkins is a resident of Troutman and served as a Corporal in the Army during the Korean War. “Our nation owes Mr. Hawkins a debt of gratitude for his service,” stated the Congressman. “The sacrifices he made have allowed the rest of us to remain free.”

Congressman McHenry presented Mr. Hawkins with the following awards:

• Good Conduct Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star Attachment
• United Nations Service Medal
• Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award
• Republican of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

“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