SHAHEEN PRESENTS DERRY WWII VETERAN WITH MEDAL FOR SERVICE
(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today presented World War II veteran Milton Christian of Derry with the Bronze Star Medal for his service in the United States Army. Christian had been previously awarded a number of military service awards, including the Purple Heart, but until today had not received the Bronze Star Medal. Since Christian's military records were destroyed in a fire, Shaheen and her staff worked with Christian to produce documentation of his service and to obtain this long overdue award.
"It is my great honor to present Retired Private First Class Milton Christian with the Bronze Star Medal for his bravery during World War II," said Shaheen. "After 64 years, today Milton Christian will finally receive the full honor and recognition he has earned and deserves. On behalf of all the people of New Hampshire, we thank Milton for his selfless service to our nation."
"In my mind, this is a medal that I earned for my service with the help of my squad. We were the ones in the mud doing the work with no recognition, and many that I served with did not make it home. I am so grateful to Senator Shaheen for helping make today possible," said Christian.
While a chemistry student at the University of New Hampshire, Christian enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served from 1943 to 1946 as a member of the 29th Infantry Division and fought in the Netherlands, France, and Germany as a member of the Heavy Machine Gun Squad. Wounded in an explosion at the Battle of Brest in France, Christian was previously awarded the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars, the WWII Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, and the Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar.
"My dad has so many stories from his time in the service, and the medal he received today is one more thing that he'll be able to pass along to his children and grandchildren. We're all so proud of him and it's nice to see him being honored today. He deserves this recognition," said Pat Christian, Milton's daughter who traveled from Buffalo, NY for the ceremony.
