Yogi to Receive Posthumous Distinguished Service Medal In Official Ceremony for Area Veterans

Yogi Berra served in the U.S. Navy.
Posted

Next week, as numerous veterans receive a Distinguished Service Medals, so too will the late Yogi Berra. Col. Jemal J. Beale, Adjutant General of New Jersey, will present the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) and other state military awards to 21 invited veterans from Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties who served during several war conflicts, including World War II, Vietnam and Iraq. Lawrence Berra, the eldest son of Yogi Berra, will accept a posthumous DSM for his late father, Seaman First Class Lawrence “Yogi” Berra, U.S. Navy, WWII.

Machinist’s Mate Third Class Eric L. Babula

U.S. Navy, Operation Iraqi Freedom - DSM

Seaman First Class Lawrence P. Berra (Posthumous)

U.S. Navy, World War II – DSM

Specialist Four Peter L. Cullen

U.S. Army, Vietnam War – DSM & VSM

Private Thomas J. Cullen (Posthumous)

U.S. Army, World War II – MSM

Private First Class William G. Easton

U.S. Army Air Forces, World War II - DSM

Lance Corporal John H. Engdahl

U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War – DSM with cluster & VSM

Seaman Kenneth A. Ennen (Posthumous)

U.S. Navy, Vietnam War – DSM & VSM

Technician Fifth Grade Jacob J. Erlewein (Posthumous)

U.S. Army, World War II - DSM

Sergeant Paul L. Erlewein (Posthumous)

U.S. Army, World War II – DSM with cluster

Private First Class Edward J. Kinsella (Posthumous)

U.S. Army, World War I - DSM

Petty Officer Third Class Charles W. Kucinski, Jr.

U.S. Navy, Vietnam War - MSM

Sergeant Dominick Marrone

U.S. Army, Operation Enduring Freedom - DSM

Petty Officer Second Class Ronald Marrone

U.S. Navy, Vietnam War – DSM & VSM

Private First Class Vincenzo Melici

U.S. Army, World War II - DSM

Corporal George Pontrella

U.S. Army, World War II - DSM

Specialist Four Thomas V. Reidy

U.S. Army, Vietnam War – DSM with cluster & VSM

Next week, numerous veterans will receive the

Petty Officer Third Class Roberto P. Roman

U.S. Navy, Operation Enduring Freedom - DSM

Corporal Walter S. Rudolph

U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War – DSM & VSM

Seaman Andrew M. Vyniski

U.S. Navy, Cuban Missile Blockade - DSM

Sergeant First Class William J. West (Posthumous)

U.S. Army, World War II – DSM

Sergeant Robert J. White

U.S. Air Force, Vietnam War – DSM & VSM

elected officials scheduled to attend the ceremony are:

· NJ Senator Kristin Corrado

· NJ Assemblyman Kevin Rooney and COS Amy Johnston

· Deputy Director of Constituent Services, Office of U.S. Senator Menendez, Jeremy Julis

The event will be on Tuesday, March 27 at 11 a.m.The Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center, 8 Yogi Berra Drive, Little Falls, NJ 07424