SHAHEEN PRESENTS NEW HAMPSHIRE VETERANS WITH SERVICE MEDALS

(Manchester, NH – May 23, 2014 – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) awards service medals to Maurice Lavigne and Raymond Lakeman)

(Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) this afternoon awarded service medals to two New Hampshire veterans, Maurice Lavigne and Raymond Lakeman, for their service during World War II and the Korean War. Both veterans earned the medals during their time in the Navy but were unable to secure them. Senator Shaheen’s office assisted in obtaining the medals.

“It is a great pleasure to say thank you to Mr. Lavigne and Mr. Lakeman for their great courage and sacrifice for our country,” Shaheen said. “This is a long overdue recognition and I was very pleased to help these two extraordinary veterans receive the recognition they deserve.”

Mr. Lavigne of Manchester, enlisted in the Navy on January 8, 1945 and spent more than a year and a half deployed on the USS Kaskaskia an oil refueling tanker and served as maintenance worker, radioman and helmsman. Today Mr. Lavigne received: The World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with 1 Bronze Star appurtenance, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp, China Service Medal (extended) and Combat Action Ribbon.

Mr. Lakeman of Gilford, enlisted in the Navy in 1950 at the age of 18. He traveled to Korea aboard the USS Haven where he served in a Marine medical unit. Mr. Lakeman served two tours aboard the USS Haven. Today Mr. Lakeman received: The Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal and Republic of Korean Presidential Unit Citation.