Fifty years after serving in the Korean War, a veteran from Connecticut finally got the medals he earned for his service in the U.S. Army.
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, of Connecticut, joined Rep. Annie Kuster, of New Hampshire, on Friday to present 84-year old John Ekenbarger with five service medals.
Ekenbarger, formerly of Stafford Springs, was held prisoner by North Korean forces for almost three years. He was released in 1953 and returned to Stafford Springs, where he went on to raise a family, according to a news release from Courtney's office.
“The resilience it took for Mr. Ekenbarger to return from the terrible experience of being held prisoner by enemy forces, and rejoin his community is inspiring,” Courtney said in a statement Friday.
“I am honored to help preserve the story of Mr. Ekenbarger’s service and sacrifice by securing these medals, which will be an important part of his family’s heritage for future generations,” the congressman added.
