Montville Veteran Honored At County Veteran's Day Ceremony

MONTVILLE, NJ — A Montville veteran was honored with the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal at a Wednesday night ceremony.

Joseph Bonanno, a U.S. Air Force veteran from Montville, was honored for his service during the Korean War. The Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal honors local veterans and was designed by a county committee of veterans.

“We recognize that all veterans have given something of themselves to this nation, and some have given everything, laying down their lives to defend the freedoms we hold so dear,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “To all of our veterans, especially to you who are here this evening, we have a simple and heartfelt message: Thank you, all of you, for your service.’’

The county shared more information about Bonanno's service:

Grew up in Belleville during the Great Depression with his parents, Rose and Frank. He joined the Air Force Reserves in the late 1940s, and when the Korean War began in 1950, his unit activated. He served as a radar technician and electronics engineer, stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, until 1952 when he was honorably discharged. He soon started his own business, Air Spec, and has been an industrial developer for more than 50 years. He is past commander, current treasurer and scholarship committee chair for the
Columbian Foundation.

Senator and former Gov. Richard Codey, state Senators Anthony R. Bucco and Joe Pennacchio, state Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco., and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon all attended the event.

Image via Morris County Government