{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221023112/http://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/sen-brown-helps-secure-overdue-military-honors-for-summit-county-veteran-and-local-family-of-deceased-veteran", "Sen. Brown Helps Secure Overdue Military Honors for Summit County Veteran and Local Family of Deceased Veteran", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Sherrod Brown", "B000944", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Brown\u2019s Office Helped Secure Several Military Honors Earned by Local Veterans\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 3, 2013\n            \n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAKRON, OH\u2014Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) helped secure several military honors earned by a Summit County Vietnam veteran and a deceased World War II veteran. Brown\u2019s staff worked with the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and the U.S. Army to track down the long overdue medals. \u00a0\n\u201cMr. Knepp and Mr. Caynor each served their country proudly and courageously,\u201d Brown said. \u201cThey answered the call to duty in order to help spread democracy and peace. That is why they earned these medals and deserve recognition for their honor and selflessness. It is because of veterans like them that we are able to enjoy the liberties we have today.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\nHonored at the ceremony in Akron was Vietnam veteran Thomas W. Knepp, of Cuyahoga Falls, who was awarded a Combat Infantryman Badge and three other new medals. Knepp is the President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 717. Also honored at the ceremony was Willard E. Caynor, a deceased World War II Veteran who was awarded a Bronze Star and nine other medals. Receiving these honors in his place was his daughter, Regina Caynor, of Barberton.\nBrown was represented at the Ellet Community Center by Laura Pechaitis, his office\u2019s Senior Constituent Advocate. Also honoring the veterans at today\u2019s ceremony was LTC Larry Ashbaugh, United States Army (Retired); and Al Hamrick, Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 699. \u00a0\u00a0\nKnepp is a life-long resident of Cuyahoga Falls. He served in the Army from 1966 to 1968. He trained as an infantryman and was sent to Vietnam in 1967 as an armored personnel carrier driver with Company B, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry.\u00a0 He spent nine months in Vietnam patrolling the central highlands and the coast along the South China Sea. He was wounded and medevaced to Japan, where he spent four months recovering in the hospital before being sent home. He was discharged in 1968 with the rank of Corporal E-4.\u00a0 Although he received two of his medals while in Vietnam, neither of his medals were sent along with his belongings. Knepp worked as a lab technician at Goodyear Tire and Rubber and retired after 35 years of service. In addition to serving as the President of VVA Chapter 717, Knepp is a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.\nCaynor served in the Army during World War II with the 6th Armored Division in the Asia Pacific Theater. He was a gunner on an 18 ton amphibious tank. He was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Private First Class.\u00a0 He lived in Norton for 45 years and retired from Lectromeit Company where he worked as a welder. He passed away in 2000.\u00a0\nBrown is the Co-Chair of the Senate Air Force Caucus and is a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. He is the only Ohio Senator to serve a full term on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and is an original cosponsor of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which offers tax credits to employers who hire unemployed veterans and provides job retraining assistance to veterans between 35 and 60 years of age.\nOhio veterans and the family members of deceased veterans may request military records and medals by contacting Senator Brown\u2019s Cleveland office at (216) 522-7272, or by visiting the \u201cConstituent Services\u201d section of Brown\u2019s website at brown.senate.gov.\nBelow is a list of award recipients from today\u2019s event:\nMedals Recipient\nAccepting Medals\nMedals Earned\nThomas W. Knepp of Cuyahoga Falls\nThomas W. Knepp of Cuyahoga Falls\nBronze Star with V\nAir Medal\nPurple Heart\nNational Defense Service Medal\nVietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment-Tripple (NEW)\nCombat Infantryman Badge (NEW)\nExpert Badge & Rifle Bar (NEW)\nSharpshooter Badge & Auto Rifle Bar (NEW)\nVietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star\nWillard E. Caynor\nRegina Caynor (Daughter) of Barberton\nBronze Star Medal\nGood Conduct Medal (NEW)\nPresidential Unit Citation & Oak Leaf Cluster Bronze\nAmerican Campaign Medal (NEW)\nAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal & Arrowhead (NEW)\nWWII Victory Medal (NEW)\nPhilippine Liberation Ribbon & Bronze Star Attachment\nHonorable Service Lapel Button WWII (NEW)\nSharpshooter Badge & Pistol Bar (NEW)\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221023112/http://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/sen-brown-helps-secure-overdue-military-honors-for-summit-county-veteran-and-local-family-of-deceased-veteran"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8719060570001602, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}