Korean Veteran Presented With Long Overdue Service Medals

SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY — Long overdue service medals were presented to a Korean War veteran by Congresswoman Nita Lowey, D-Harrison. The five medals were presented to Mario DiFelice, a Sleepy Hollow resident and former deputy mayor of the village and a Navy veteran of the Korean War. The ceremony was held in Lowey's White Plains office.

“I have known Mr. DiFelice for years, and his dedication to his country and to our community is unparalleled,” Lowey said. “I’m honored to present Mr. DiFelice with these medals for his service in the U.S. Navy, and I’m so glad that his family could be here to see this moment. Our nation owes Mr. DiFelice an enormous debt of gratitude.”

Congresswoman Lowey presented DiFelice with the Navy “E” Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Europe Clasp), National Defense Service Medal and the Honorable Discharge Button.

DiFelice contacted Lowey’s office in August 2017 for assistance in obtaining his service medals. Her office contacted the National Personnel Records Center to acquire DiFelice’s documents for the Navy to determine the medals to which he was entitled. The NPRC forwarded the documents to the Navy at the end of November, and informed Lowey what medals DiFelice earned. The congresswoman’s office received the medals from the Navy in December 2017.

DiFelice served in the Navy from July 2, 1948, to July 19, 1951 in Fighter Squadrons 173 and 174, on board the carriers USS Midway (CV-41), USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42). In addition to serving his community as deputy mayor of Sleepy Hollow from 2003 to 2008, DiFelice served as a Sleepy Hollow trustee from 1996 to 2003 and as director of the James F. Galgano Sleepy Hollow Senior Center.

DiFelice was joined at the ceremony by members of his family, including his wife, Elinor; his daughter, Michelle DiFelice; his son-in-law, Albert Feliz; his granddaughter, Demi Carrero; and his cousin-in-law, Marilyn Helwig.

Photo credit: Nita Lowey.