Larson Presents Local WWII Veteran With Military Medals
ForImmediate Release
April6th, 2009
CONGRESSMANLARSON PRESENTS LOCAL WWII VETERAN WITH MILITARY MEDALS
Hartford, CT-Today,U.S. Congressman John B. Larson presented World War II veteran and WindsorLocks resident Elmer E. Jones, 85 with military medals to honor his service toour country. Mr. Jones was the recipient of eight medals including thePresidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism and theEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ 3 Bronze service stars.
Congressman Larson was joined by Steve Wawruck, First Selectman ofWindsor Locks. Mr. Jones was accompanied by his wife of nearly sixty yearsLillian, and three of his children, Claudia Condon, Priscilla Serafin, andRobert Jones.
“It is an honor to present Mr. Jones with these medals. Medals he earnedthrough brave and exceptional service during the Second World War. Mr. Jonesserved in one of the most famous military divisions during World War II”, saidLarson. “Elmer Jones and his fellow veterans of the “Greatest Generation”defended the principles of our nation, freedom and liberty for all and it is agreat pleasure to help honor that service.”
Mr. Jones served as a Private First Class in the United States Army from1943-1946 with the 88th Reconnaissance Squadron, nicknamed “TheThundering Herd”, of the 8th Armored Division. The Division enteredGermany in late February 1945 and participated in an attack near Reinberg andWessel that prevented Nazi troops from crossing the Rhine River. Mr.Jones and the Division later liberated a Nazi Death Camp Halberstadt-Wieberge,a sub camp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. To honor that feat, a flagrepresenting Mr. Jones’ division is proudly displayed at the U.S. HolocaustMuseum.
Mr. Jones’ wife, Lillian Jones, contacted Congressman Larson’s HartfordDistrict Office for assistance in replacing Mr. Jones’ military medals.Congressman Larson wrote a letter to the National Personnel Records Center(NPRC) on December 15th, 2008, requesting replacement of fourmedals. After receiving Larson’s letter and reviewing Mr. Jones’ militaryhistory, the NPRC concluded, that in addition to replacing Mr. Jones’ fourmilitary medals, he was due four additional medals for his service.
“There is no greater fulfillment than to assist our veterans inreceiving the military medals they rightfully deserve for their service to ourcountry.”
Mr. Jones was presented with the following medals:
Good Conduct Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ 3 bronze service stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal w/ Germany clasp
Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII
Marksman Badge w/ Carbine Bar
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Military medals earned by Mr. Elmer Jones of East Windsor, CT