WASHINGTON (August 20, 2007) On Friday, August 17, 2007, Congressman Ben Chandler presented medals to the family of deceased World War II veteran, Private First Class James Mitchell Rison, who served in the U.S. Army from August 18, 1942 to September 23, 1945.
In attendance were three generations of Rison’s family—his daughter, Phyllis Carrington, his grandson, Wesley Carrington of Winchester, Kentucky, and his great-grandson, Will Carrington. PVT Rison was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for his service in World War II, as well as other medals. The Bronze Star Medal is a prestigious military decoration awarded for acts of bravery, merit, or meritorious service. In order to receive the Bronze Star Medal, the service member must have been in imminent danger or receiving enemy fire during the event for which the medal was earned.
Wesley Carrington’s search for his grandfather’s military records has not been easy, as many of these records were lost in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The fire destroyed major portions of records of Army military personnel who served between 1912 and 1959. Despite this setback, Chandler’s office was able to contact the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis and track down the military service records of PVT Rison. Contained in his records was a General’s order stating that PVT Rison had earned the highly-esteemed Bronze Star Medal.
"Individuals such as PVT Rison should be honored and shown the utmost respect for their service to our country," said Congressman Chandler. "I am happy to have played a small part in helping PVT Rison’s family retrieve his military awards."
Pictured from left to right are PVT James Rison's grandson, Wesley Carrington of Winchester (holding picture of his grandfather), Congressman Ben Chandler, PVT Rison's daughter, Phyllis Carrington, and PVT Rison's great-grandson, Will Carrington. On the table are the medals presented to PVT Rison's family for his service in WWII, including the prestigious Bronze Star Medal.
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