Vietnam War Veteran Receives Bronze Star Medal Earned More than 40 Years Ago

By Capt. Jeff Gruidl (Army Reserve)June 21, 2013

John Ferry Vietnam Awards
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (right) and Col. Eric Lawson (Left) from the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) present, Vietnam veteran, John Ferry (center) of Seven Fields, Pa., with his Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge and seven othe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
John ferry Awards
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Eric Lawson (left) from the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey (center) congratulate, Vietnam veteran, John Ferry (right) of Seven Fields, Pa., after receiving his Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge and... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. and Col. Eric Lawson from the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) presented, Vietnam veteran, John Ferry of Seven Fields, Pa., with his Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge and seven other awards at a ceremony in Pittsburgh on June 21.

Ferry, a sergeant, who served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 as a platoon leader with the 1st Cavalry Division, 12th Cavalry Regiment, earned his Bronze Star for displaying heroic actions by unselfishly exposing himself to enemy hostile fire and engaging the enemy.

A modest Ferry said about his service and awards, "I was just doing my job like everyone else." Adding, if something good came from my era and how we were treated is that Soldiers today are being recognized.

After a 42 year wait, Ferry received his awards by requesting assistance from Senator Casey's office. In addition to the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge; Ferry received the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Ferry was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife, Carol Ferry, who he met after his service while they both attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

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