The event was part of a three-day outreach to veterans and their families.
DEPTFORD TWP. -- Fifteen South Jersey veterans were presented state Distinguished Service Medals and other awards during a ceremony held Wednesday morning at Deptford Mall.
The ceremony marked the start of a three-day veterans outreach program at the mall.
The Veterans Outreach Program is an effort by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to talk one-on-one with veterans or their family members about available state and federal veterans benefits.
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, veterans and family members can visit a kiosk set up near JC Penny to learn more. For additional assistance, call 1-888-8NJ-VETS.
Veterans invited to Wednesday's medal ceremony included:
- Cpl. John B. Bertino, World War II, Marine Corps, Voorhees
- Sgt. Gavin J. Carroll, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marine Corps, Williamstown
- Petty Officer Third Class Joshua S. Dennis, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Navy, Somerdale
- Sgt. Derrick Dzierzynski, Operation Enduring Freedom, Marine Corps, Williamstown
County presents military service medals
- Engineman Third Class William R. Fish, World War II, Navy, Vineland
- Seaman Edward P. Graham Jr., Vietnam War, Navy, Somerdale
- Sgt. Evan P. Graham, Operation Enduring Freedom, Army, Somerdale
- Specialist Four Gerald L. Hastings, Vietnam War, Army, Somerdale
- Capt. Brian T. Kelley, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Air Force, Vineland
- Sgt. John A. McCaughrean, Operation Enduring Freedom, Army Voorhees
- Storekeeper First Class Anthony Pacitto World War II, Navy, Vineland
- Staff Sgt. Roberto Rosado, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Air Force, Hammonton
- Staff Sgt. Gary L. Rothman, Vietnam War, Air Force, Pine Hill
- Lance Cpl. Jaymes P. Swain, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marine Corps, Millville
- Sgt. First Class Milton A. Tucker, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Army, Sicklerville
The N.J. Distinguished Service Medal, the state's highest military award, was originally issued in 1858 for those who distinguished themselves in the New Jersey Militia, but was used infrequently until re-authorized in 1988. Since then, more than 30,000 medals have been awarded to combat veterans from New Jersey.
Anyone interested in applying for the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal should call 1-888-865-8387.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.