Fishkill vet presented with Korean War medals

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Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (l) with Korean War veteran Joe Reynolds

NEWBURGH – Fishkill’s Joe Reynolds turned 89 years old on Monday. On Tuesday, a belated birthday present was given to Reynolds, who received the U.S. Navy medals that he earned nearly 70 years ago while serving during the Korean Conflict.

Reynolds earned seven medals or citations, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal and his Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin.

Reynolds enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and was discharged with a kidney infection in 1954, but he never received his citations. He turned to Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, who secured Reynolds’ medals and citations, and presented them to him and his family Tuesday during an outdoor ceremony at his district office in the City of Newburgh.

“I knew I had them. I was over there a good part of about three years,” said Reynolds. “I feel great. It was nice of him and this is nice of him to have a ceremony for it.”

Maloney said it’s important to honor our vets, especially those still alive, after serving close to 70 or 80 years ago in World War II and the Korean Conflict, like Reynolds.

“It’s important when they have not been recognized in the past,” said Maloney “It’s especially true when like Mr. Reynolds, they never received the commendations they earned when they were serving our country.”




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