On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers presented war medals to the family of a World War I hero from Whitley County who never received the medals he valiantly earned.
According to Congressman Rogers, Private First Class Abraham Smith carried wounded soldiers to the dressing station and then processed to deliver a message under artillery fire in north Russia on October 27, 1918. Smith was said to be part of the U.S. Army's WWI American Expeditionary Force, called the "Polar Bears."
"Mr. Smith never expected to receive any medals and never boasted to his family about his heroic actions in Russia during World War I. It wasn't until family members started researching military records that they realized their father and grandfather was one of the Army's storied 'Polar Bears,'" said Congressman Rogers. "I count it a great honor to help families secure war medals that were never awarded to our men and women in uniform. It's the least that I can do for their incredible sacrifice for this great nation."
Congressman Rogers then presented the Silver Star, the WWI Victory Medal, and the WWI Bronze Victory Pin to Mr. Smith's daughter, Alice Parks, Butch Parks, his grandson, Jacob Losekamp, and his grandson great-great-great-grandson, and Rev. Raymond Parks, his son-in-law.
The press release stated all four of Abraham Smith's sons served in the military and two grandsons, carrying on a legacy of military service for the United States.
Samantha Walden, Staff Writer at the Kentucky Daily
Photo by communications director Danielle Smoot and communications team at U.S. Congressman Hal rogers’ Office