Newburgh, NY – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney awarded former Petty Officer Third Class Ed Foddrill with the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with campaign star, and the Air Crewman Badge. Ed Foddrill is a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War and was stationed in Da Nang, a port city nicknamed “Rocket City, Vietnam,” because of the intense fighting that took place there. Foddrill’s family has served in every major war since the American Revolution, when Charles Foddrill crossed the Delaware River under General George Washington’s command.
“I am honored to present these medals to a New Yorker and Navy veteran who has devoted his entire life to service,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Petty Officer Third Class Ed Foddrill risked his life for our country during the Vietnam War, and has spent his entire civilian life working to help and improve his community. These medals and badge are a symbol of our deep gratitude for his service to our country during the Vietnam War.”
“Our country owes a debt of gratitude to our veterans who answered their nation’s call to selflessly serve in defense of democracy and freedom,” said Rep. Maloney. “My father was a Navy veteran just like Petty Officer Third Class Ed Foddrill, who has devoted his life not just to his country, but also to his community. I am proud to be here today to present him with these well-deserved medals today, and thank him for his service to our nation.”
“Mr. Foddrill answered the call to serve his country and deserves to be honored,” said Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus. “No amount of time can reduce the debt of gratitude we owe to brave men such as him. These decorations are certainly long overdue. As a Navy Officer, I was honored to be part of today’s ceremony, and to have a chance to get to know Mr. Foddrill. Mr. Foddrill served our country bravely and we are all proud of him. We thank him for his commitment to this great country. I was honored to share this wonderful moment with Mr. Foddrill and his family.”
“I want to thank the Honorable Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for making this a reality after 40 years,” said former Petty Officer Third Class Ed Foddrill. “This was for the more than 58,000 American soldiers who died in Vietnam. God Bless these United States of America.”
“It is a great privilege to witness a local war hero being decorated with honors,” said New York State Assemblyman Frank Skartados (AD-104). “Petty Officer Third Class Edward Foddrill and his family have given more than their share of service to our country and state. American cannot thank Edward Foddrill enough, but we can finally bestow upon him the recognition he deserves, now and forever, with these four medals and badge.”
“Presenting these medals to this veteran, although it has been a long time in the making, is a good thing because it is a reminder to all just how much we honor all those men and women who served or are still serving today,” said Frank Fisher, President, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 537.
Former Petty Officer Third Class Ed Foddrill enlisted in the United States Navy when he was only 16 years old, when he was still in high school, and the day after he graduated, he left home for basic training. His training included time at the famously punishing S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) School, where he had to go with no food and limited water, and endure torture to prepare for capture by Vietnam. Foddrill’s security clearance was so high that he flew without a parachute so that if he had to abort his mission, capture would not be an option.
Petty Officer Third Class Ed Foddrill served for two years in Vietnam, in the port city of Da Nang, which was nicknamed “Rocket City, Vietnam,” because of the intense fighting that took place there. Foddrill served out the end of his enlistment, received his honorable discharge, and then came home in 1973.
A member of the Foddrill family has fought in every major American war since the Revolution, when Charles Foddrill fought under General George Washington in the Battle at Brandywine on Sept 11, 1777, and crossed the Delaware River with the Continental Army to continue the fight for America’s independence.
These medals and badge are awarded to veterans for honorable and faithful service and direct participation in major military operations in Vietnam.