Eighty Years After WWII Veteran’s Honorable Discharge, Congressman Kennedy Presents Service Medals to Navy Radioman 3rd Class George Klein

Mr. Klein, an Amherst Resident, Served in the Pacific Theater, Earning Multiple Medals in the Liberation of the Philippines

In his Centennial Year, Mr. Klein Continues to Inspire Western New Yorkers for his Commitment to Country and Community

Eight decades after receiving his honorable discharge, Congressman Tim Kennedy presented long-overdue World War II military medals to Williamsville resident and Navy veteran George L. Klein. Mr. Klein entered active service in the U.S. Navy Reserve on March 1, 1944, right after graduating high school, and rose to the rank of Radioman Third Class while serving in the Philippines with the 7th Amphibious Force. Although he was honorably discharged in May 1946, he never physically received the decorations he earned during his deployment. Following a formal inquiry launched by Representative Kennedy's office to the National Personnel Records Center and the Navy Personnel Command, the Department of the Navy officially processed and delivered Mr. Klein's rightful awards, including the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Honorable Discharge Button. He also received the Philippine Liberation Medal from the Republic of the Philippines.

"At a time when freedom was under attack across the globe by the forces of fascism and tyranny, it was brave Americans like Radioman 3rd Class George Klein who stood up to defend our values and our way of life," said Congressman Kennedy. "George has loved his country, his community, and his family with every ounce of his being. It is a profound privilege to right this decades-old historical wrong and finally present a true member of the Greatest Generation with the medals he so rightfully earned."

Beyond his wartime sacrifice, Mr. Klein has spent the last eight decades building an inspiring legacy of faith and community service in Western New York. Following his discharge, he returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Corrine, on September 14, 1946. Together, they raised four sons, welcoming six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren into a family that recently celebrated George's landmark 100th birthday. After a dedicated local career in management and sales, George answered a higher calling and was ordained as a Catholic deacon on September 20, 1992, spending his later years visiting eight area nursing homes every week to bring comfort and companionship to the sick and elderly.

Veterans and military families in need of assistance with benefits or military service medals are encouraged to contact Congressman Kennedy's office at 716-852-3501 (Buffalo) or 716-282-1274 (Niagara Falls).

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