releases: https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ashland-hero-presented-purple-heart-veterans-day
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ashland-hero-presented-purple-heart-veterans-day | Ashland Hero Presented Purple Heart on Veterans Day | 2015-11-12 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | ASHLAND Maines Second District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, has secured a Purple Heart for an Ashland man who was wounded in the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge during the Korean War. On Wednesday, Corporal Joseph OClair was presented the Purple Heart in a small ceremony at the Ashland VFW 9699 by Congressman Poliquins Aroostook County based Staff Assistant, Kim Rohn. I want to commend Corporal Joseph O'Clair for his courage and thank him for his sacrifice, said Congressman Poliquin. We are forever indebted to him and those he served alongside. While long overdue, this Purple Heart is well-deserved and is presented as a small token of our Nations great appreciation for your brave efforts to keep us safe and free. OClair served in the United States Army from 1950-53. During the intense, month-long Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, a North Korean attack initiated a landslide that crushed the Ashland man, breaking his right leg and hip. More than 64 years later, that leg remains three inches shorter than the left. Despite the injury, OClair returned to Aroostook County and was employed at Fournier Logging and later Pinkham Lumber, where he worked alongside two of his three sons as a Saw Filer. A hard-working and devoted family man, OClair has been married to his wife, Lydia, for 61 years and the couple has five grown children including Barbara, Arnold, Steven, Nora and Andrew. In September, the OClair family enlisted Congressman Poliquin to help them secure recognition of their fathers injuries at the hands of the enemy. We owe Maines Veterans our thanks for their service to our country and the cause of freedom around the globe, said Congressman Poliquin. I am honored to represent heroes like Corporal OClair and the more than 66,000 Veterans in Maines Second Congressional District and am committed to helping our heroes and their families receive the recognition and the benefits they were promised, earned and deserve. Maine Second Congressional District Veterans and their family members may request military medals or assistance with benefits by contacting Congressman Poliquins offices in Lewiston (784-0768), Bangor (942-0583) or Presque Isle (764-1968). | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |