GOSHEN – A loophole in current federal law denies former Korean War POWs from collecting their combat pay while in captivity.
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18) announced while at the Orange County Veterans’ Cemetery on Monday that he has introduced legislation to change that.
The issue was brought to his attention by Ray Mellin, 90, a Korean War vet who was captured the day after he landed in Korea and was held in captivity for over three years.
He was on a 13-day “death march” in which 58 percent of the prisons involved died.
“I really want to thank you congressman for your attempts; I don’t think it is going to go through but…” Mellin said, as he was interrupted by Maloney. “Hold on now. We’re going to get it done,” the congressman said.
Mellin believes “The senators and the rest of them would rather raise their own pay than worry about things like this. I am so tired of looking at politics where Democrats and Republicans are fighting among themselves instead of doing things that could really help this country.”
Maloney also announced his Know Your Vets Act where returning military personnel could register with their local county veterans offices; the Disabled Veterans Red Tape Reduction Act; and Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act. The House member is also working on garnering increased support for creation of a gold Purple Heart commemorative coin that would be cast at the West Point Mint with proceeds going to the Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor.
