Gottheimer Presents WWII Navy Veteran and Fifth District Native with Long Overdue Military Service Medals

Feb 24, 2020
Press

92-year-old River Vale native receives medals more than 70 years later


Above: Gottheimer presents World War II U.S. Navy Veteran Thomas Simpson with long overdue medals for his service.

OLD TAPPAN, NJ – On Monday, February 24, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) delivered long overdue service medals to World War II veteran and Fifth District native Thomas Simpson, more than 70 years following his service in the U.S. Navy helping deliver food and supplies to Okinawa, Japan.

After learning that Simpson, a 92-year-old River Vale native, never received his service medals, Old Tappan Mayor John Kramer contacted Gottheimer’s office for assistance. Gottheimer cut through red tape to secure the medals from the federal government and visited Simpson today to present him and his family with medals honoring his service to the United States.

Gottheimer presented Simpson with the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Honorable Reserve Discharge Button, and the Ruptured Duck Honorable Service Lapel Pin.

Following his military service, Simpson later served as River Vale’s Chief of Police. Simpson is now retired in nearby Old Tappan.

“It’s an absolute honor and privilege to hear Mr. Simpson’s story, and to thank him for his service to our great country. Throughout my work all across the Fifth District, I feel especially lucky to be able to spend time with so many of our brave veterans,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It is our duty as Americans not only to honor these men and women, but to do everything we can to fight for them when they return, to ensure they have the care they need, the benefits they were promised, and the support we all owe them.”

Gottheimer continued, “I want to impress upon all veterans throughout the Fifth District that my door is always open for any issues they may have. After sacrificing so much, they and their families should never struggle to get the care or recognition they so rightfully deserve.”

Fewer than 500,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive today.

During this Congress, Gottheimer has helped lead several initiatives to fight for North Jersey’s veterans:

  • Gottheimer recently announced that eligible North Jersey veterans will now be able to receive health care referrals to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, following the hospital’s approval as a VA Community Care Network (CCN) provider — a priority Gottheimer discussed with the Director of the VA New Jersey Health Care System this past fall. Gottheimer’s announcement will provide North Jersey veterans with shorter drive times and greater access to care for veterans in the Fifth District.
  • The House passed Gottheimer’s bipartisan legislation to invest in filling the more than 49,000 vacant positions at the VA.
  • The House also passed Gottheimer’s bipartisan legislation to increase investment for the Veterans Health Administration to specifically hire more mental health professionals.

Below: Gottheimer visits World War II Navy veteran Thomas Simpson today.

Below: Gottheimer visits World War II Navy veteran Thomas Simpson and his family.

###

Recent Posts


Sep 16, 2024
Press

RELEASE: Gottheimer, Lawler, Torres Join Roundtable Hosted by Columbia Jewish Students to Discuss Campus Safety

Above: Gottheimer, Lawler, Torres with Columbia Jewish students and organizations. NEW YORK CITY, NY — Today, September 16, 2024, as the school year starts, U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15), joined Jewish students at Columbia University and organizations to discuss campus safety. They also highlighted the importance of passing the Antisemitism […]



Sep 13, 2024
Press

RELEASE: Gottheimer, Bacon, 30 Bipartisan Members Launch New Unity Commitment

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, September 13, 2024, U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Don Bacon (NE-2) launched a bipartisan “Unity Commitment” which commits Members to respecting the results of the 2024 presidential election, attending the inauguration, and serving as a voice for calm, regardless of who wins. The full “Unity Commitment” can be found here, which 32 […]



Sep 12, 2024
Press

RELEASE: Gottheimer’s Bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act Introduced in the Senate by Helmy and Booker

Above: Gottheimer in Hackensack announcing his new FIRE Cancer Act to provide all firefighters with early cancer detection tests. WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer announced that his bipartisan Firefighter Investments to Recognize Exposure to Cancer Act (FIRE Cancer Act), has been introduced in the Senate by Senator George Helmy (D-NJ). The FIRE Cancer Act will save […]