releases: 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
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| 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 | legacy | Brown’s Office Helped Secure Several Military Honors Earned by Local Veterans Tuesday, December 3, 2013 AKRON, OH—Today, 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’s staff worked with the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and the U.S. Army to track down the long overdue medals. “Mr. Knepp and Mr. Caynor each served their country proudly and courageously,” Brown said. “They 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.” Honored 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. Brown was represented at the Ellet Community Center by Laura Pechaitis, his office’s Senior Constituent Advocate. Also honoring the veterans at today’s ceremony was LTC Larry Ashbaugh, United States Army (Retired); and Al Hamrick, Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 699. Knepp 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. 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. 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. Caynor 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. He lived in Norton for 45 years and retired from Lectromeit Company where he worked as a welder. He passed away in 2000. Brown 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. Ohio veterans and the family members of deceased veterans may request military records and medals by contacting Senator Brown’s Cleveland office at (216) 522-7272, or by visiting the “Constituent Services” section of Brown’s website at brown.senate.gov. Below is a list of award recipients from today’s event: Medals Recipient Accepting Medals Medals Earned Thomas W. Knepp of Cuyahoga Falls Thomas W. Knepp of Cuyahoga Falls Bronze Star with V Air Medal Purple Heart National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment-Tripple (NEW) Combat Infantryman Badge (NEW) Expert Badge & Rifle Bar (NEW) Sharpshooter Badge & Auto Rifle Bar (NEW) Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star Willard E. Caynor Regina Caynor (Daughter) of Barberton Bronze Star Medal Good Conduct Medal (NEW) Presidential Unit Citation & Oak Leaf Cluster Bronze American Campaign Medal (NEW) Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal & Arrowhead (NEW) WWII Victory Medal (NEW) Philippine Liberation Ribbon & Bronze Star Attachment Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII (NEW) Sharpshooter Badge & Pistol Bar (NEW) ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |