BELVIDERE, N.J. (Warren County) — Thirty-seven wartime veterans were recognized Saturday with the Warren County Distinguished Military Service Medal during the county’s 19th Veterans Recognition ceremony at the Warren County War Memorial.
The July 11 ceremony, held next to the Warren County Courthouse, commemorated America’s 250th birthday while honoring men and women who served in the U.S. military during times of conflict.
Warren County Commissioner James R. Kern III joined members of the Warren County War Memorial Corporation for the event, which featured performances by the Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, a Quilt of Valor presentation by the Evening Star Quilting Guild, and readings recognizing Dr. Joseph Warren, the county’s namesake, and the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Each honoree received the Distinguished Military Service Medal, along with a commemorative lapel pin and certificate.
The county has now recognized 2,302 wartime veterans since the program began in 2003, when Julius Hausold, then Warren County’s last surviving World War I veteran at age 108, received the inaugural award.
Four veterans were honored posthumously, with family members accepting the medals on their behalf.
“I want to say thank you to all the brave men and women who fought to ensure that future generations of American citizens will be able to enjoy our country’s freedoms. It is important that we honor our veterans here in Warren County and never forget the sacrifices that you all made so that our families can live in peace,” Commissioner Kern said.
The 2026 recipients were:
- Donald C. Backer, Army, Vietnam
- Robert F. Bentley Jr., Navy, Global War on Terror
- Alex W. Betz, Army, Vietnam
- William G. Blaine, Army, Vietnam
- Donald J. Butler Jr., Marine Corps, Vietnam
- Juan H. Castellanos, Army, Global War on Terror
- Louis Csazmadia, Army, World War II (posthumous)
- Ronald P. Davis, Air Force, Vietnam (posthumous)
- Peter DeHaas, Army, Vietnam (posthumous)
- Frank A. Dell Beni Jr., Army, Vietnam
- William P. Dermody, Army, Vietnam (posthumous)
- John W. Diana, Navy, Vietnam
- Charles D. Falvey Jr., Navy, Vietnam
- Wayne S. George, Navy, Vietnam
- John N. Geswelli, Marine Corps, Vietnam
- Edward A. Grannis, Navy, Global War on Terror
- Dale Hart, Marine Corps, Vietnam
- Gary W. Hutchinson, Marine Corps, Vietnam (posthumous)
- Bert H. Joiner, Army, Vietnam
- Johnathan I. Lindsley, Navy, Global War on Terror
- Terry L. Mackie, Army, Vietnam
- John A. Meyer, Army, Vietnam
- Paul L. Meyer, Army, Vietnam
- Christopher A. Michel, Army, Global War on Terror
- John J. Petchonka, Navy, Vietnam
- Wayne Peterson, Coast Guard, Vietnam
- Patrick Petroll II, Army, Vietnam
- Stephen Porter, Marine Corps, Global War on Terror
- Edward M. Richardson, Navy, Vietnam
- Christopher Schaefer, Army, Global War on Terror
- Derrick Schmidt, Navy, Global War on Terror
- Charles Smith III, Army, Global War on Terror
- Rodney T. Stearly, Navy, Vietnam
- Alan Typinski, Marine Corps, Vietnam
- Richard N. Wilson, Marine Corps, Vietnam
- Norman Winters, Army, Vietnam
- Eugene F. Woznicki, Air Force, Vietnam
Warren County accepts applications for the Distinguished Military Service Medal throughout the year. Current and former county residents, living or deceased, are eligible if they served honorably during a recognized wartime period from World War I through the present.
More information about the Veterans Recognition Program and application materials is available through the Warren County Veterans Services Office.
