Rep. Van Drew Honors Ocean City WWII Vet On House Floor

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Congressman Jeff Van Drew recognized a 101-year-old veteran and Ocean City resident on the House floor. Harry Yoa served in World War II as an aerial engineer and tail gunner.

Yoa enlisted in the Army in 1942. He was 23, working as a truck driver and just married his wife, Valerie, Van Drew said. Yoa was stationed in Southern France, where he served in the 321st Bombardment Group in the 12th Air Force.

"He now unfortunately suffers from dementia and doesn’t remember much from the war," Van Drew said. "But he says he hasn’t forgotten the intensity of his missions where he was tasked with repairing the aircraft and defending the craft through the weapons in the rear of the plane."

Yoa completed 63 missions. He received multiple medals and three bronze stars after the war.

"In the wake of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we remember the sacrifices of many Americans in World War II," Van Drew said. "Harry is truly one of the great ones, and God will bless him."

See the video below:

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