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HomeNewsCommissioner Many-Bears Grinder recognizes local World War II Veteran

Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder recognizes local World War II Veteran

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs (TDVA) Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder has recognized a decorated World War II veteran who never received his medals.

Private First Class Henry Cathey served in the United States Army from November 1942 to September 1945, serving in Northern France, Central Europe, Ardennes, Rhineland and Normandy.  He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and earned the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal (with 1 silver star and 1 bronze star), the WWII Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. 

PFC Cathey never received his awards. 

Mr. Glenn Carvell, a close family friend, contacted the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of the family with a simple request. “Please help us in whatever way you can” Mr. Carvell said. “We simply hope that his country will be proud enough of this old soldier, who fought in knee deep snow, in sub-zero weather, nearly freezing to serve his country.”

Grinder wanted to make sure this veteran did not have to wait any longer to receive just recognition for his service.

She traveled to Spring Hill and met Cathey  Saturday in a special family ceremony honoring him for his exceptional patriotism and service to our nation, presenting him with the medals in recognition of his honorable service. 

On behalf of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Grinder presented  Cathey with an honorary appointment to the rank of Colonel Aide de Camp, as well as a special Commissioners Certificate of Appreciation and Coin of excellence from the TDVA.

“PFC Cathey answered the call to serve his country and defend our freedom against tyranny and oppression,” Grinder said. “It is a great honor for me to present PFC Cathey with the military decorations that he earned so many years ago and thank him on behalf of the Governor and the State of Tennessee”.

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