On Aug. 28 2018, Congressman Smith presented the medals at the Active Day of Hamilton Adult Day Care Center on Whitehead Road in Hamilton.
Former Private First Class Hernandez listens to Congressman Smith laud his service.
Mr. Hernandez in uniform during the war.
Sharing a hug with grandaughter Malissa DeJesus.
Korean Medals.
Congressman Smith presents the medals to Mr. Hernandez.
Congressman Chris Smith recently presented medals to Miguel Hernandez Colon, more than 66 years after the veteran enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Korea.
Hernandez Colon, now 85, enlisted in the 65th Infantry Regiment on Feb. 27, 1952 and served through March 10, 1954.
In front of many of the veteran’s children, grandchildren, friends and family, Smith presented Hernandez Colon with international, national and state medals for his service in the Korean War.
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“On behalf of the Congress, your family and everyone here, let me just say how proud we all are of you,” Smith said to Hernandez. “You earned these medals. You are a hero.”
Hernandez Colon served in the legendary “Borinqueneers,” officially known as the 65th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army based in Puerto Rico, as well as a reservist for seven years.
Rep. Smith (left) and Miguel Hernandez Colon (right), Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Army 65th Infantry Regiment
After the Korean War, Hernandez Colon served as a public school teacher for more than 40 years, including many years in the Trenton School District. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Catholic University of Puerto Rico and received a Master’s degree in urban studies from The College of New Jersey. He also taught at Mercer County Community College, where he helped many students obtain their high school equivalency degrees.
The medals Congressman Smith presented to Hernandez Colon are as follows.
National/International Medals:
•National Defense Service Medal
•Korean Service Medal
•United Nations Service Medal for Korea
State Medals:
•NJ Korean Service Medal
•NJ Distinguished Service Medal
This article was posted on this site of Sept. 4, 2018, and ran in the Sept. 1, 2018 print edition of the Trentonian newspaper on page 3, with photos on page 1 & 3 and was published online at:
https://www.trentonian.com/news/local/hamilton-korean-war-veteran-presented-with-medals-for-military-service/article_5ca308c4-ad64-11e8-ae90-139559fc5631.html
Hamilton Korean War veteran presented with medals for military service
HAMILTON — Congressman Chris Smith recently presented medals to Miguel Hernandez Colon, more than 66 years after the veteran enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Korea.
