BURRILLVILLE U.S. Sen. Jack Reed on Friday bestowed a Purple Heart during a special ceremony at Pine Grove Nursing Home to honor former Army Cpl. Joseph Gerard Lefebvre, 83, of Pascoag.
Lefebvre, who joined the Army when he was an 18-year-old from Providence, served from October 1948 to June 1955. As part of the 8th Cavalry Regiment in Korea, he was shot in the leg by enemy fire.
It was my honor today to present Mr. Lefebvre with a small token of our enduring gratitude and respect for the service he rendered on behalf of our nation, Reed said. I join all Rhode Islanders in thanking Joseph, his family, and all our veterans for their uncommon courage and extraordinary sacrifices.
Lefebvre was also presented with other military honors he earned but never received after completing his Korean War service, including: the Good Conduct Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal with 1 Silver Service Star; the United Nations Service Medal; the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award; the Presidential Unit Citation; and the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp.
A spokesman for Reed said that Lefebvre didnt receive his medals earlier because he had other priorities upon returning home.
