Press Releases

On Thursday, Congressman Huizenga will host a medals ceremony at 1:30 PM at the VFW in Baldwin. Congressman Huizenga will give brief opening remarks prior to the start of the medals presentation.  The public is encouraged to attend the medals ceremony and help honor these local veterans and their families. This medals ceremony is the results of a veterans workshop held in April by Congressman Huizenga’s staff. The VFW in Baldwin is located at 2225 South M 37, Baldwin, MI 49304.

“It is an honor to present these men and women with the medals they earned while defending freedom,” said Congressman Huizenga. “I encourage everyone from Lake County and the surrounding communities to join us at the VFW in Baldwin to honor these local heroes and thank them for their service.”

Senior Master Sergeant William D. Wisner of Baldwin – U.S. Air Force, 1949-70

• Air Force Good Conduct Medal

• Good Conduct Medal (Army) with four bronze loops

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three bronze oak leaf clusters

• Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four bronze oak leaf clusters

• USAF Basic Military Training Honor Grad Ribbon

• National Defense Service Medal

• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

• Vietnam Service Medal

• Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon 

SM Sgt Wisner retired from the Air Force in 1970 after a long career where he served as Crew Chief on B36’s and B52’s, Line Chief on fuel tankers, and the Alert Force Branch Chief at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan. He served in various places across the United States and for 7 years in Okinawa, Japan from 1960-67. 

Airman First Class Richard Allen Johnson of Baldwin – U.S. Air Force, 1960-64 

• Air Force Good Conduct Medal

• National Defense Service Medal

• Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star 

AFC Johnson completed overseas tours in Turkey (1961) and Thailand (62-63) where he served as an airplane repairman for a fighter squad. 

Machinist Mate Second Class Ronald Johnson of Fruitport, deceased – U.S. Navy, 1943-45 

• World War II Victory Medal

• American Campaign Medal

• Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal

• Navy Honorable Service Discharge Button

• Honorable Service Lapel Pin (Ruptured Duck) 

MMSC Johnson was a member of the SEABEES and stationed in the South Pacific where he helped build runways. 

Mr. Johnson’s son, Richard (who is also receiving medals), will be receiving the medals on his Father’s behalf. 

Sergeant First Class Kevin McCleary of Bitely – U.S. Army, 1988-2009 

• Bronze Star Medal
• Purple Heart
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Army Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
• Army Achievement Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster
• Good Conduct Medal, 6^th award
• Valorous Unit Award
• National Defense Service Medal
• NCO Professional Development Ribbon
• Army Service Ribbon
• Overseas Service Ribbon
• Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver “W” Bar
• Combat Action Badge
• Global War on Terror Service Medal
• Korea Defense Service Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze service star 

SFC McCleary served in Germany, Korea, the Middle East, and all over the United States.  He participated in Operation Desert Thunder and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  SFC McCleary earned a Purple Heart while serving in Iraq 

Staff Sergeant Richard Gould of Holton – U.S. Army, 1967-1973 

• Good Conduct Medal

• National Defense Service Medal

• Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars

• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960)

• Expert Badge with Pistol Bar

• Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar 

Staff Sgt. Gould served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. As a military police officer, Staff Sgt. Gould was also stationed in Okinawa and various facilities across the United States 

Petty Officer Third Class Lee Ellsworth Bitely of Bitely – U.S. Navy, 1965-1968 

• National Defense Service Medal

• Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star appurtenance 

POTC Bitely served overseas in Vietnam from 1966-67 as a boiler tender making steam to launch aircraft and was stationed aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (aircraft carrier) 

Specialist Fifth Class Pamela Viscome of Reed City – U.S. Army, 1968-1970 

• Army Good Conduct Medal

• National Defense Service Medal 

SFC Viscome served as a medical corpsman at the Brooke Army Medical Center in the emergency room at Fort Sam Houston. SFC Viscome treated burn victims returning from Vietnam as well as individuals with a variety of ailments ranging from rabies bites to car accidents. 

Staff Sergeant Walter Krumm Sr. of Fowlerville, deceased – U.S. Navy, 1942-1945 U.S. Army, 1947-1948 

• World War II Victory Medal

• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

• Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp

• Army of Occupation Medal & Germany Clasp

• China Service Medal

• Combat Action Ribbon

• Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII

• Marksman Badge & Rifle Bar 

Staff Sgt. Krumm served in both Germany and England and was stationed on an LST in Okinawa. He also spent time on a merchant marine ship. 

Mr. Krumm’s son, Walter Krumm, Jr., of Baldwin, will be receiving his medals on his behalf. 

Corporal William Demmler of Eaton Rapids, deceased – U.S. Army, 1943-1945 

• Army Good Conduct Medal

• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars and one silver service star

• World War II Victory Medal 

Corporal Demmler served as a gunner in the 486th Bombardment Squadron, 340th Bombardment Group throughout Italy and the Rhineland. 

Corporal Demmler’s daughter, Karen Krumm of Baldwin, will be receiving his medals on his behalf. 

If you know a veteran who has misplaced or never received the medals they earned while serving in the military, or a veteran who is having difficulties in dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, please call Congressman Huizenga’s Office in Grandville at (616) 570-0917.