CLEVELAND, OH —As Cleveland’s Navy Week kicks off, an Operation Iraqi Freedom Navy veteran, along with a World War II Navy veteran, received several medals earned in combat from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in a ceremony aboard the USS COD today.

“Ohio’s veterans have made invaluable contributions to our fight for worldwide peace and democracy. Our state’s service members have answered the call to action without delay throughout our nation’s history,” Brown said. “As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is fighting for Ohio and America’s veterans by ensuring that they receive the benefits they so richly deserve. It is an honor to deliver these medals to Mr. Dobec and Mr. Tedrick today.”

Hospital Corpsman Third Class (HM3) Michael Dobec was presented with the following awards: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with one gold star, representing his second award), the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with one bronze star, for his second deployment.)

Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class (MOMM1c) James Burton Tedrick received several medals when he was discharged:  the WWII Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Amphibious Force Insignia. At Sen. Brown’s request, the Navy reviewed his Official Military Personnel File and determined that Mr. Tedrick was also eligible for the following medals: the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, a Bronze star appurtenance for the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Navy Discharge Button, and the Honorable Service Lapel Pin.

Brown’s office worked with the National Personnel Records Center and the United States Navy Personnel Command on the veterans’ behalf to obtain their medals. CDR Eric R. Johnson, Commanding Officer of the Navy Operational Support Center in North Canton, also joined Brown to make the presentation of medals to HM3 Dobec and MOMM1c Tedrick.

Michael Dobec attended Triway High School and joined the United States Navy in April, 2000.   He was trained as a Hospital Corpsman and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines Regiment, which is part of the 1st Marine Division, between February 2003 and April 2005.  He was stationed for 10 months at an aid station in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, and served as a member of the combat outpost trauma team proving lifesaving interventions to battle-torn Marines and coalition forces. He resides in Wooster.

James Burton Tedrick was born in Louisville, Ohio. He graduated from Louisville High School in 1942 and began working at Hercules Engineering. He enlisted in the Navy and was trained in diesel engineer repair. He served in the Navy’s amphibious forces and participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was discharged in 1946, and today resides in North Canton.

Ohio veterans and the family members of deceased veterans may request military records and medals by contacting Senator Brown’s Cleveland office at (216) 522-7272 or by visiting the “Constituent Services” section of Brown’s website at brown.senate.gov.

 

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