Ralph J. Adams Technician Fifth Grade Ralph Adams was an 18-year-old high school senior when he received his draft notice from the U.S. Army. He went to Fort Dix, New Jersey for basic training and was then sent to Walter Reed Hospital to be a surgical technician. Ralph later returned to Fort Dix where he served as a medic at Tilton General Hospital. Ralph was selected to go to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was assigned to the hospital’s operating room as a scrub nurse, handling instruments and assisting in post-operating procedures. He was discharged from the Army in December 1946. Ralph then went to Rochester Business School and received a degree in Business Administration, class of 1949. He began working as an assistant office manager at Curtice Brothers. With an active reserve status from the Army, Ralph was recalled in 1950 to serve in the Korean War, where he received an Ambassador for Peace Medal from the Korean Republic. Due to his previous military rank, Ralph was sent to Fort Hood, Texas and was assigned to their operating room. He served there until 1952 and received his second discharge from the Army. After retiring from Eastman Kodak Co. in 1991, Ralph worked as a deputy clerk for the Village of Clifton Springs. He joined the Clifton Springs Rotary Club and received two Paul Harris Awards. Ralph also volunteered for the local food cupboard and as a greeter at the south end of Clifton Springs Hospital. From a young age, he has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Clifton Springs, serving for many years on the church board as a deacon and trustee. Ralph’s hobby is writing poetry about his community, family and friends. His “Homespun Poetry” book is available at the historical society and library in Clifton Springs. Ralph and his wife of 61 years, Mable have three children, 11 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He is well known for saying, “Keep smiling and the world will smile with you.” TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE RALPH ADAMS, U.S. ARMY (NOMINATED BY JEFFERY ADAMS) James Donald Allen Jr. James Donald Allen Jr. proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 26 years. He has committed his life to serving our nation and has made great sacrifices throughout his years of service. James is a former POW, survivor of Agent Orange, and survivor of multiple severe helicopter crashes. Many shy away from danger, but James always faced it head on. James served several tours and duties in infantry, artillery and embassy guard. For his heroic and honorable service, he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for Valor. After his many years in the Marines, James also spent time in the National Guard. While he was stationed in Hawaii, James met his wife, Benita. They have been married for over 36 years and raised two sons, Zachary and Benjamin. James comes from a long line of military family members and continues to carry the baton for his family. He served many years with his local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. James continues to be a friendly face when visiting the VA for his appointments. GUNNERY SERGEANT JAMES DONALD ALLEN JR., U.S. MARINE CORPS (NOMINATED BY BENJAMIN ALLEN) John C. Bennett Second Lieutenant John Bennett enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces and was sworn in on January 2, 1942. He always wanted to fly, and after much training, he became an aviation cadet. John was commissioned as a second lieutenant in October 1943 in Dalhart, Texas and was assigned as co-pilot of a B-17. He went overseas in December 1943. On April 13, 1944, John took off from his base in Molesworth, England on a mission to a ball bearing factory in Germany. Their planes came under fire by ME-109s. John’s plane was shot and he parachuted to the ground. He was taken prisoner and transported to a small village in Luxembourg. He was sent to a jail and the shrapnel wound in his leg was treated. The POWs were then put into the back of a truck. John was sent to Frankfurt where he stayed for several days and was interrogated for information. John was put on a railroad car to Barth and ended up in a boxcar. The first night they were bombed by the British. The POWs were let out and put in circles, guarded by the Germans. John was marched from the railway station to the prison camp. About the 2nd or 3rd of May 1945, the Russians arrived and liberated them. John and the other POWs were flown to France where they boarded troop ships headed for the United States. In Boston, John got on a train and headed home. He arrived home in the middle of June 1945, about 6 weeks after he was liberated from prison camp. For his brave and dedicated military service, John received a Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Army Air Medal with Cluster, European Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, and World War II Victory Medal Ribbon. He earned the officer rank of 2nd Lieutenant, his Air Force Wings, and three Overseas Bars. John’s four children are Judy Bennett, Janet Hillenbrand, John Bennett and Sarah Bennett Hincks. SECOND LIEUTENANT JOHN BENNETT, U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES (NOMINATED BY BILL FRASER) John C. Bryan At the age of 21, John C. Bryan enlisted in the U.S. Army hoping to join the Air Corps. He served in the New York State 27th Division and the 108th Infantry. John was shipped to Fort McClellan, Alabama on February 8, 1941. When the Japanese bombed the American Fleet in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, John was shipped to Maui. He served in Hawaii for over a year before returning to California in May 1943 where he was asked to start a new division. John returned to Fort McClellan, Alabama in September 1943, training individuals coming into the Army. He saw a notice for Air Cadets, applied and was subsequently shipped to Miami Beach, Florida where the government rented all the hotels on the beach. On a weekend pass in September 1944, John traveled home to marry his sweetheart, Susannah Barrett. His commanding officer gave him an additional three-day pass to spend time with his wife before being shipped to England. John arrived in England on October 29, 1944. While climbing the White Cliffs of Dover, he was injured when a rope broke. He took an arduous 12-day journey back to the states and was admitted to Woodrow Wilson Hospital on December 26, 1944 for surgery. Lacking one day of service to be discharged, John was sent to New Orleans to assist in shipping men home from service. Staff Sergeant John C. Bryan was officially discharged from the Army on September 29, 1945. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Southwest Pacific Medal, and the European Theater Medal. After returning home to New York State, John served as 3rd Vice Commander of American Legion Post 256 in Canandaigua, New York throughout the 1970s. In 2020, John celebrated his 101st birthday and proudly wore his uniform at a celebration at the Canandaigua Wegmans, remembering his time in service to his homeland, the United States of America. STAFF SERGEANT JOHN C. BRYAN, U.S. ARMY (NOMINATED BY MARIE BROWN) Vincent J. Crudele Boatswain Mate 3rd Class Vincent J. Crudele served three years in the U.S. Navy, from June 1974 to June 1977. He then went to work serving veterans as a Nursing Assistant (NA) at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, where he worked for 37 years until retiring in 2013. For most of his years at the Canandaigua VA, Vinnie worked nights in the psychiatric unit. He received numerous recognitions for his service at the VA. Vinnie has always been a very giving and kindhearted person who would do anything to help others. Vinnie is a member of the Canandaigua American Legion, and every year, he has made poppies for the Ladies Auxiliary. He enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, walking the trails in his hometown, and traveling. Vinnie always calls the USS Fairfax County (LST-1193) the first love of his life, before his life was enriched by his children, grandchildren, and significant other. BOATSWAIN MATE 3RD CLASS VINCENT J. CRUDELE, U.S. NAVY (NOMINATED BY DORIS BACON) Ronald J. DeYulio Sergeant E-5 Ronald J. DeYulio enlisted in the U.S. Army when he graduated high school in 1965. He received his military training at Fort Dix, New Jersey where he also completed his basic training and advanced infantry training. Ron was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, also known as the Big Red One, where he joined his unit in Vietnam in 1966. On February 22, 1966, while in the jungles of Vietnam, Ron was pointman for his unit when he came across an enemy bunker. He signaled back to his squad leader when the enemy tossed a hand grenade at their position. Ron and his platoon leader were injured, with Ron taking the brunt of it. Ron was airlifted to a field hospital and treated for injuries to his neck, both forearms, and his left leg. Ron received a Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal for his courageous actions. He has also been recognized with a Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, New York State Conspicuous Service Star, and a Conspicuous Service Award. Ron finished his one-year tour in Vietnam and then returned to the states, completing his service at Fort Knox, Kentucky with the rank of Sergeant E-5 in 1968.