PINE GROVE, Pa. — Rafael “Ray” Madrigal snapped to consideration, eliminated his hat and bowed his head as his great-grandson, Matthew Madrigal, slipped a crimson, white and blue ribbon round his neck Saturday within the Oak Grove Sportsmen’s Membership.
A medallion on the ribbon learn “Honored Vietnam Veteran: Schuylkill County,” however retired Sgt. 1st Class Madrigal could not have been prouder had it been a Silver Star.
In a valuable sight, a 9-year-old boy and a 95-year-old Army veteran saluted one another within the presence of relations and veterans from American Legion Put up 374 in Pine Grove.
It was the crowning second of a special occasion to honor Madrigal, whose navy profession spanned the World Struggle II, Korean and Vietnam eras.
Ted Brown, president of Simply 4 Vets, offered Madrigal with a triangular field containing an American flag, a photograph of him in uniform and a collection of medals he earned, together with a Bronze Star.
Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary J. Hess learn a proclamation on the county’s behalf.
Addressing Madrigal and the Put up 374 veterans, a number of of their 80s and 90s, Hess credited their sacrifices with bringing concerning the freedom the nation enjoys as we speak.
“We thanks on your excellent service,” Hess stated. “Your coronary heart is along with your nation, and we salute you.”
About 100 individuals attended the service, together with a delegation of Madrigal’s household.
William Madrigal, of Pottsville, and Robert Madrigal, of Schuylkill Haven, Ray’s sons, honored their father.
Robert, 73, who served within the Marine Corps and the Army, suffered a damaged leg and damaged again in a helicopter crash in Alaska in 1974.
“What my father did for his nation is superb,” Robert stated.
Trying Again
Nineteen-year-old Rafael Madrigal left his house in Blue Island, Illinois, for the Army in December 1946.
He would finally be assigned to a unit in occupied Japan, the place Gen. Douglas MacArthur commanded Allied forces.
MacArthur was a flamboyant officer who wore aviator sun shades and smoked a corn cob pipe.
“You’d see Gen. MacArthur now and again in Tokyo,” Madrigal recalled. “Individuals would collect round to see him.”
Taking part within the Korean Struggle, Madrigal stated, was probably the most tough task of his profession.
In 1950, the 12 months the battle began, Madrigal discovered himself with the seventh Infantry Division in Korea.
The unit participated within the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in November 1950, the place American forces had been surrounded by 120,000 Chinese language troops.
“It was freezing climate, and we did not have winter uniforms,” he stated. “We arrived in September, and we nonetheless had summer time uniforms.”
Madrigal did three excursions in Korea: earlier than, throughout and after the battle.
In 1965, when he was 39, then-Workers Sgt. Madrigal was assigned to Cu Chi Base Camp, northwest of Saigon in Vietnam.
He supervised a crew of mechanics, repairing Huey helicopters broken throughout fight.
“If you select to make the service a profession,” he stated, “you must take the unhealthy with the nice.”
Nonetheless Going Robust
After retiring in 1967, Madrigal settled his household in Pottsville.
He labored on the Exxon plastics plant close to Minersville.
Madrigal at the moment lives in Tremont, the place he maintains an lively way of life.
Regardless of his age, he nonetheless cuts his grass, chops wooden and works round the home. He is a daily on the senior residents middle in Tremont and is a proud member of Put up 374.
William Madrigal Jr. marveled at his grandfather’s navy document.
“You do not notice till you are older what he did, the sacrifices he made,” stated Madrigal, 39, who works at D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. brewery.
As is frequent together with his technology, Ray Madrigal downplayed his dedication to serving his nation.
Briefly remarks after being offered with the tricorner field containing an American flag, Madrigal stated: “It was an honor and a privilege to have served my nation.”
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