Cortlandt Manor, NY - After waiting more than 40 years, veteran John Pagliuca today finally received the Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Service Stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Korea Defense Service Medal during a presentation by U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19), Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Several members of Mr. Pagliuca's Rolling Thunder Chapter joined Congressman Hall in honoring Pagliuca's service.

"I couldn't be happier that we were able to finally reward Mr. Pagliuca with the medals in recognition of his heroic service," said Hall. "For Mr. Pagliuca, these medals represent the camaraderie and bravery of the men he served with."

Pagliuca has lived in Cortlandt Manor for more than 53 years, leaving his hometown only during his period of service with the Army from November 1966 to October 1968. Along with overseas service in Korea, Mr. Pagliuca was a specialist 4th class in Vietnam, assigned to outposts with combat duty at Song Be, and then Phouc Vinh.  He and his unit suffered mortar and a rocket attack by the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. Pagliuca was hit by shrapnel both times.

Although his commanding officers told Pagliuca that he had been put in for several medals for bravery, he never saw them until he asked Congressman Hall this year for help obtaining the medals.

Pagliuca noted that these medals meant a great deal to him because as he remembered, it was "a curse word to be a Vietnam Veteran in October of 1968….but that the lessons learned from being under fire and seeing the human condition at its worst at times made me a better person."

"We are all certainly a much better nation as a result of Pagliuca's service," said Hall. "To leave your home, to answer the call of duty, to sacrifice life and limb – all of these deserve the rightful recognition of a grateful nation."

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