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