Cuba Vet Honored with Service Medals
OLEAN – Petty Officer James Dyche of Cuba, NY, a U.S. Navy combat veteran of the Persian Gulf, never expected to be honored for his service when he visited Senator Catharine Young’s (R,I,C – Olean) office in October of 2010 to get information regarding his veteran health care
benefits.
On Friday, however, almost a year after his visit, he was presented the New York State Medal for Merit and the New York State Conspicuous Service Star at a special ceremony in front of friends and family at the American Legion Post in Cuba.
“I didn’t even know I was eligible for them at all. When you serve you don’t expect to get awards -- it is not something you dwell on or seek out. But it is very nice to be recognized in this way and I really appreciate Senator Young going out of her way to honor me in this way,” said Petty Officer Dyche.
“As soon as we discovered he was eligible for these medals, I had my office start the application process. There are a number of veterans like Petty Officer Dyche who have earned medals and recognitions they were completely unaware of. It is important that we recognize them,” said
Senator Young.
“As a member of the U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Dyche gave five years of his life in service to our country. Like all veterans, he is deserving of our respect and gratitude. I am pleased to congratulate James on earning this honor and thank him for his dedicated and honorable service,” she added.
Petty Officer Dyche served in the U.S. Navy from October 3, 1985 to August 7, 1990. He received his boot camp training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois and later earned his Operations Specialist training at Dam Neck in Virginia Beach.
From June 1986 to October 1988 he served on the U.S.S. Cochrane, a guided missile-armed destroyer that was stationed in the Persian Gulf during “Operation Earnest Will.” This campaign was the largest naval convoy operation since World War II with the purpose of protecting Kuwaiti owned tankers from Iranian attacks.
During the operation, the U.S.S. Cochrane had primary responsibility for combat operations in the Persian Gulf. Petty Officer Dyche was responsible for manning the vessel’s Combat Information Center (CIC), intelligence gathering, and radar and navigation operations.
After “Operation Earnest Will,” Petty Officer Dyche served on the U.S.S. David R. Ray, a Spruance-class destroyer, from November 1988 to February 1989. In 1990, he was honorably discharged from the US Navy.
The New York State Conspicuous Service Star was created in 1998 to recognize New York residents who served on federal active duty in combat military units which received some type of unit recognition. The medal is available to any New York state resident who can prove their unit earned such an award.
The Medal For Merit is awarded to current New York State residents, or those who were New York State citizens at the time of their service, who served honorably in the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard and whose service was in direct support of combat operations.
benefits.
On Friday, however, almost a year after his visit, he was presented the New York State Medal for Merit and the New York State Conspicuous Service Star at a special ceremony in front of friends and family at the American Legion Post in Cuba.
“I didn’t even know I was eligible for them at all. When you serve you don’t expect to get awards -- it is not something you dwell on or seek out. But it is very nice to be recognized in this way and I really appreciate Senator Young going out of her way to honor me in this way,” said Petty Officer Dyche.
“As soon as we discovered he was eligible for these medals, I had my office start the application process. There are a number of veterans like Petty Officer Dyche who have earned medals and recognitions they were completely unaware of. It is important that we recognize them,” said
Senator Young.
“As a member of the U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Dyche gave five years of his life in service to our country. Like all veterans, he is deserving of our respect and gratitude. I am pleased to congratulate James on earning this honor and thank him for his dedicated and honorable service,” she added.
Petty Officer Dyche served in the U.S. Navy from October 3, 1985 to August 7, 1990. He received his boot camp training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois and later earned his Operations Specialist training at Dam Neck in Virginia Beach.
From June 1986 to October 1988 he served on the U.S.S. Cochrane, a guided missile-armed destroyer that was stationed in the Persian Gulf during “Operation Earnest Will.” This campaign was the largest naval convoy operation since World War II with the purpose of protecting Kuwaiti owned tankers from Iranian attacks.
During the operation, the U.S.S. Cochrane had primary responsibility for combat operations in the Persian Gulf. Petty Officer Dyche was responsible for manning the vessel’s Combat Information Center (CIC), intelligence gathering, and radar and navigation operations.
After “Operation Earnest Will,” Petty Officer Dyche served on the U.S.S. David R. Ray, a Spruance-class destroyer, from November 1988 to February 1989. In 1990, he was honorably discharged from the US Navy.
The New York State Conspicuous Service Star was created in 1998 to recognize New York residents who served on federal active duty in combat military units which received some type of unit recognition. The medal is available to any New York state resident who can prove their unit earned such an award.
The Medal For Merit is awarded to current New York State residents, or those who were New York State citizens at the time of their service, who served honorably in the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard and whose service was in direct support of combat operations.
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