By Rob Borkowski
Langevin presented DePetrillo, 69, a Specialist Fourth Grade in the U.S. Army, Korean Defense, with five medals: Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Star Attachment; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Expert Badge and Rifle Bar and Korea Defense Service Medal.
“It is a great honor to commemorate these Rhode Island veterans who have served with distinction and integrity and dedicated so much to the safety and security of our nation,” said Langevin. “One of my most important duties as a member of Congress is providing our service members and veterans with the support and recognition they deserve. I look forward to concluding my August listening tour with this mission in mind.”
Langevin also presented medals to six other veterans, four posthumously:
- Private Adolf Ciummo, U.S. Army, WWII (Awarded Posthumously) Born on October 24, 1917 in Natick, RI
- Corporal Frank Diana, U.S. Army, WWII (Awarded Posthumously) Born on September 20, 1912 in Providence, RI
- Private First Class Carmine D. DiPippo, WWII U.S. Army (Awarded Posthumously) Born on May 17, 1921 in Cranston, RI
- Coxswain Axel Harold Halvarson, U.S. Navy, WWII (Awarded Posthumously) Born on April 28, 1919 in Providence, RI
- Sergeant John Boehnert, U.S. Army, Vietnam , Born on Jan. 20, 1949 in Chicago, IL (resides in East Greenwich, RI)
The event is the first of several visits focused on military and veterans issues that Langevin is holding on Aug. 28 and Aug. 30 as part of the Langevin Listening Tour, an initiative Langevin has led through the August congressional district work period to collect feedback and gain insight from constituents.
“Rhode Island has a proud history of producing heroes,” said Kasin J. Yarn, the Director of Veteran’s Affairs for the State of Rhode Island. “Tomorrow’s ceremony is just another illustration of that. I applaud Congressman Langevin’s efforts to ensure these warriors and their families get the recognition they’ve earned and so thoroughly deserve,” Yarn said.
