“A DEBT WE CAN NEVER REPAY”: CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN HONORS HUDSON VALLEY HEROES ON NATIONAL PURPLE HEART DAY

"A Debt We Can Never Repay": Congressman Pat Ryan Honors Hudson Valley Heroes on National Purple Heart Day

National Purple Heart Day marks the anniversary of the military's highest honor; on this day in 1782, George Washington awarded the very first award for military merit

Ryan - an Iraq War combat veteran and the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in Congress - was inspired to join the service by his grandfather, World War II Navy Veteran and Purple Heart recipient John Porsch

This week, Ryan honored Army Veteran Jesse Clune at his Purple Heart presentation ceremony; earlier this year Ryan introduced historic legislation posthumously honoring Wappinger's Chief Daniel Nimham with the Purple Heart for his heroism in the Revolutionary War

KINGSTON, NY - On National Purple Heart Day, Congressman Pat Ryan - an Iraq War combat veteran, two-time Bronze Star recipient, and the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in Congress - is honoring Hudson Valley heroes.

National Purple Heart Day marks the anniversary of when George Washington first awarded the Badge of Military Merit - the predecessor of the Purple Heart and first American award of military merit - in 1782. The Hudson Valley has a rich history of military service and is home to not only Ryan's alma mater - the Military Academy at West Point - but also the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

Ryan is a fifth-generation Hudson Valley native, born and raised in Kingston, New York. He served 27 months in combat in Iraq, and was inspired to serve by the example set by both of his grandfathers. His mother's father, Navy Veteran John Porsch, was on the last ship sunk in the Pacific by a Japanese Kamikaze pilot in World War II. He had to cling to debris from the ship for over 48 hours and was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery.

"On National Purple Heart Day, we honor the best among us: selfless Patriots who risked their own lives for this country. My grandfather, John Porsch, was one of those Patriots. A Navy Veteran, he was awarded the Purple Heart for his heroism in World War II. His example of service and duty has been an inspiration to me throughout my life," said Congressman Pat Ryan. "Duty, Honor, Country. These are the values I was taught at West Point, and these are the values that run deep throughout our Hudson Valley community and history. Today, I want to thank the generations of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who have time and time again answered the call to serve. We owe each and every one of you a debt that can never be repaid - and your sacrifices to our community and country will never be forgotten."

Just this week, Congressman Ryan was proud to honor Army Veteran Jesse Clune at his Purple Heart presentation ceremony.

Ryan has a long history of fighting to ensure Hudson Valley heroes get the honor and recognition they deserve. Earlier this year, he introduced the Chief Nimham Purple Heart Act, legislation allowing Chief Daniel Nimham - the last sachem of the Wappinger people and Revolutionary War hero - to be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Chief Nimham fought alongside the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He and members of his community aligned themselves with the cause of American independence, demonstrating extraordinary courage and commitment at a pivotal moment in our nation's founding. Despite his service and sacrifice, Chief Nimham was never formally recognized with the honors awarded to others who fought and died in the Revolutionary War. Congressman Ryan's bill posthumously awards Chief Nimham with the Purple Heart, the military's highest honor.

Ryan also led the push to honor fallen Korean War Hero Charles Johnson with the Medal of Honor. PFC Johnson, a Millbrook native and Arlington High School Grad, was killed in action June 12, 1953 on the frontlines in South Korea. His heroic actions are credited with saving at least eight other American soldiers, but for more than 70 years he was not awarded the Medal of Honor he deserved. Ryan called on President Biden to immediately remedy the injustice, noting that PFC Johnson had long been denied the proper recognition for his heroic actions. In January of 2025, after years of advocacy by Ryan and the entire Hudson Valley community, PFC Johnson was posthumously awarded his Medal of Honor.

Congressman Ryan is the first West Point graduate to represent the Military Academy in Congress. He served two combat tours in Iraq as an Army intelligence officer and has long fought to deliver the recognition and benefits that veterans, servicemembers, and military families deserve.

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