Veterans receive state’s
highest military honor
Two special award ceremonies were held Sept. 23 at the Toms River Elks Lodge where 133 New Jersey veterans received the state’s top military award.
Brig. Gen. Eugene Chojnacki, assistant adjutant general, Air, New Jersey Army National Guard, presented the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal to 133 Ocean County residents who are combat veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Lebanon peacekeeping mission, the Persian Gulf War and the military mission in Kosovo.
Recipients whose service was recognized by the award of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal or equivalent medal received a New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster.
Originally issued in 1858 for those who had distinguished themselves in the New Jersey militia, the medal — which is New Jersey’s highest military award — was infrequently used until reauthorized in 1988 by Gov. Thomas Kean.
In order to be eligible for the Distinguished Service Medal, one must currently be a resident of New Jersey, have been a New Jersey resident at the time of entering into military service, have been honorably discharged and have proof of having served in combat while on active duty during wartime. The DSM can also be awarded posthumously to the next of kin of a veteran who meets the criteria.
Those combat veterans who were not residents of New Jersey when they entered military service, but who are current New Jersey residents and have resided in the state for the past five years can receive the New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal.
DSM recipients from Lakewood are: Technician 5th Grade Anthony J. Amoscato, Army, World War II; Pfc. Anthony E. Burdge, Army, World War II; 2nd Lt. Joseph V. Casino, Army, World War II (cluster); Flight Officer Edward H. D’Autorio, Army, World War II; Pfc. Walter J. Loehren, Army, World War II; Aviation Radioman 2nd Class James L. Morrison, Navy, World War II; Spc. 4 Gerald L. Novak, Army, Vietnam; and Technician 5th Grade Carmel J. Phelan, Army, World War II (posthumous).
MSM recipients from Lakewood are: Machinist Mate 3rd Class Bertram Albert, Navy, World War II; Radioman 2nd Class Jerry Baratz, Navy, World War II; Staff Sgt. John W. Bentham, Army, Vietnam; Seaman 1st Class Joseph A. Camuto, Navy, World War II; Motor Machinist Mate 3rd Class Henry Levine, Navy, World War II; Signalman 2nd Class Charles LoGiudice, Navy, World War II; Technician 5th Grade Raffaello F. Masi, Army, World War II; Sgt. James V. McGilloway, Air Force, Vietnam; Technician 5th Grade Vincent O’Brien, Army, World War II; Spc. 4 Theodore S. Pawlyshyn, Army, Vietnam; and Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Irwin Wiesner, Navy, World War II.
DSM recipients from Jackson are Sgt. Joseph L. Barany, Air Force, Vietnam; Sgt. John E. Fredericksen, Army, World War II; Spc. 4 Frank S. Hodroski, Army, Vietnam; Staff Sgt. Jamison L. Johnson, Army, Kosovo; Carpenters Mate 2nd Class Frank Korker, Coast Guard, World War II; Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas J. Mangels, Navy, Desert Shield/Storm; Spc. 5 Joseph R. Romeo, Army, Vietnam; Cpl. Salvatore Ruggieri, Army, Korea; and Spc. 5 Robert L. Waltz, Army, Vietnam.
MSM recipients from Jackson are: Cpl. Alan S. Ford, Marine Corps, Vietnam; Cpl. Thomas J. Marchlewski, Army, Vietnam; and Sgt. 1st Class Rudolph Williams, Army, Vietnam.
DSM recipients from Howell are Staff Sgt. Raymond Rupp, Marine Corps, Vietnam (cluster); and Sgt. William F. Rupp, Air Force, Vietnam.
And, from the New Egypt section of Plumsted, the DSM recipient is Spc. 5 Martin Friedrich, Army, Vietnam.
Anyone interested in applying for the DSM should send a written request, with copies of all pertinent information, discharge documents, award citations, honorable discharge, etc., along with full name, home address and daytime telephone number to the N.J. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Attn.: Distinguished Service Medal, P.O. Box 340, Trenton, 08625-0340.