Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) presented local veteran Orval Mullen with medals earned serving in World War II at a ceremony held at the American Legion in Van Wert this morning. The medals – which Mr. Mullen had never received due to an oversight – included a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award. Latta learned that Mullen had never received the medals last summer when conducting an interview with him for the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project. Latta’s office then worked with the U.S. Army to rectify the situation. In addition to the ceremony, today is Orval Mullen’s 95th birthday and a cake was presented to him to celebrate.
“More than 70 years ago, Orval Mullen earned a number of prestigious medals and commendations because of his heroic actions in combat,” said Latta. “Unfortunately, a military oversight meant that he never received what was rightfully his. Today, on his 95th birthday, we were able to right this wrong and present Orval with the medals he deserved for all these years. Our country is forever indebted to the members of the Greatest Generation, like Orval, that served with honor and bravery during World War II.”
