Congresswoman Jean Schmidt recently honored a World War II veteran and two brothers who served in the Vietnam War by presenting the Adams County residents with medals earned for their military service. The medals were presented during two separate ceremonies Friday, June 15.

The men requested Congresswoman Schmidt’s help in obtaining the commendations. “On behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Congress, I am happy to present this long-overdue recognition to these gentlemen,” she said.

Arthur and Charles Abrams, brothers who served in the Navy at the same time but aboard different ships during the Vietnam War, received their medals during a ceremony at the congresswoman’s Adams County district office, 170 North Main Street in Peebles.

Congresswoman Schmidt presented Army veteran Russell Pollitt, 86, with the medals he earned in World War II during a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Manchester.

Arthur and Charles Abrams entered active duty service on the same day: November 12, 1963. Arthur Abrams was a fireman and boiler technician assigned to the USS Colonial, where he spent nearly his entire hitch.  He participated in three conflicts against enemy forces. Arthur Abrams was honorably discharged from the Navy on October 30, 1967, and worked for Senco Products for 30 years. Charles Abrams was assigned to the USS Constellation, where he worked in the aviation department. He was honorably discharged on November 30, 1967, and worked as an electrician in numerous power plants.

Arthur Abrams, 68, of Peebles was presented with: the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars (indicating participation in three major conflicts with enemy forces); and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device. Charles Abrams, 67, of Peebles was presented with: the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon; and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device.

The awards Pollitt received for serving in World War II were lost in his travels before he got home – except for a tattered Purple Heart ribbon. In addition to a new Purple Heart Award, he was presented with: the Bronze Star; the Good Conduct Medal; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze star attachments (indicating participation in two major conflicts with enemy forces); the World War II Victory Medal; the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp; the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award; the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button; and the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar.

Born in Manchester on May 9, 1926, Pollitt graduated from Manchester High School in May 1944. He tried to volunteer for the military but was rejected because of poor eyesight. After Pollitt moved to Dayton to begin work for Frigidaire, Uncle Sam changed his mind and drafted him. He was issued two pairs of glasses and sent to basic training at Camp Walters in Texas. He and other troops soon shipped out to Europe on the Queen Mary.

Pollitt was attached to the 8th Armored Division of the 58th Armored Infantry during the Battle of the Bulge.

While in Holland, Pollitt was assigned to a three-man machine gun crew. A 90-millimeter mortar shell killed his two crewmates, and Pollitt suffered a head injury and other shrapnel wounds. He was treated at several hospitals before ending up in Paris, where he was given a clean uniform and sent back to his unit.

He continued to fight until the end of the war. Private 1st Class Pollitt was honorably discharged on July 4, 1946. He returned to Ohio and helped his dad in his mechanic’s garage in Manchester.  He later became owner and operator of the Buckeye carryout in Aberdeen in Brown County, and he was a farmer until his retirement. Pollitt served as the fire chief of Manchester from 1957 to 1962, and he was a school bus driver for 17 years.

Pollitt is a member of the Manchester Matthew Carter American Legion Post 325, the Richard L. Dryden Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8287, and the Disabled American Veterans.

Pollitt has three sons: Bobby, Timmy, and Rusty, who live out of the area. All three traveled to Manchester to be with their father for the medals ceremony.