World War II Veteran Richard Andrews Honored At Medal Ceremony

By Nancy K. Crevier

“We are standing here today with a real hero,” US Representative Christopher Murphy told a full house during a brief but heartfelt ceremony conducted Wednesday, December 17, at the VFW Post 308 on Tinkerfield Road. Rep Murphy and friends and family of Richard W. Andrews were there to honor Mr Richards, a World War II veteran, as he received the Bronze Star Medal, a US Army Individual Decoration awarded for combat heroism or for meritorious service.

“It was a long time coming,” said Mr Richards’ daughter, Patricia Murray, who worked with district aide Stephanie Podewell in Rep Murphy’s office to see that her father received the medal he should have been awarded more than 60 years earlier.

“Anyone who got an infantry combat badge is eligible for the Bronze Star Medal according to a law passed in 1945,” said Ms Murray, “but it has got to be the best-kept secret.”

When a family friend from Arizona mentioned to Richard Andrews that he was probably eligible for the award, Ms Murray decided to get the ball rolling. “I contacted Chris Murphy’s office, and Stephanie [Podewell], the veterans’ affairs specialist there was so helpful. She was able to get this taken care of in under two months,” said Ms Murray, prior to Wednesday’s ceremony.

“This is a special moment for a lot of people,” Rep Murphy said. “It’s an instance that is too often, throughout this district, of veterans who have not gotten all of the recognition that they deserve.” But it is not about the medals, Rep Murphy went on to say. “We all know that [the service people] did it because this, the ‘greatest generation,’ felt that they had an obligation.”

In awarding the Bronze Star Medal to Mr Andrews, Rep Murphy reminded those present that the Bronze Star Medal “does not get handed out often, or without great reason and merit.”

Family friend Cameron Jones, a private in the US Army, and dressed in a vintage Army uniform, did the honors of pinning the medal to Mr Andrews’ jacket, the same jacket he was issued when he joined the US Army106th Division Cannon Company in 1943.

The Bronze Star Medal was not the first medal for Mr Andrews, who served as a private first class, and who was captured by the Germans and held as a POW from December 1944 until May 1945. He previously was honored with two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

“People just don’t know about this Bronze Star Medal, and we are so pleased to see my dad finally get it,” said Ms Murray.

With his wife, Louise, son Richard Andrews, Jr, and daughter Patricia Murray, and Post Commander Junie Ingram standing by, Mr Richards thanked the group gathered at Wednesday’s ceremony, and Rep Murphy, for being a part of his special day. “It’s an honor,” said Mr Richards. “Thank you, all of you.”