Veterans from 5 N.J. counties received the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.
LAWRENCE -- Seventeen veterans from five counties had the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal pinned on their chests Tuesday at Quakerbridge Mall.
Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, presented the medals - the state's highest military award - to veterans that served in several wars and operations.
New Jersey American Legion State Commander Mike Babli, Jr. of Atco also received the medal.
Bill Paradiso was one of five Mercer County residents to receive the medal. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War.
The Hamilton resident said it's great that the state is actively seeking veterans who qualify for the medal. He did not actively seek the medal, but the recognition for himself and his fellow veterans was nice.
Paradiso said he did not know of the medal's existence until recently, when a friend and fellow veteran told him about it at a regular meeting of retired Trenton police and firemen.
"It's just the idea that you get older and you look back on you career, it's nice," said Paradiso, who retired as a chief with the Trenton Fire Department. "I though the ceremony was very well done."
The other veterans who received the medal, with the conflict they fought in, their service and residence:
CAMDEN COUNTY:
- Sgt. Michael C. Babli Jr., Vietnam War, U.S. Army, Atco
- Specialist Four Robert W. Balassaitis, Vietnam War, U.S. Army, Winslow
- Staff Sgt. Charles J. Caruso Jr., Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom, U.S. Air Force, Winslow
- Sgt. Brian E. Feasler, Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Army, Winslow
- Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason J. Hill, Operation Enduring Freedom, U.S. Navy, Winslow
- Senior Airman Jumar K. Simmons, Operation Enduring Freedom, U.S. Air Force, Winslow
MERCER COUNTY
- Sgt. Joseph A. DeVictoria Jr., Vietnam War, U.S. Army, Hamilton
- Tech. Sgt. Eric W. Harrell, Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Air Force, Ewing
- Technician Fifth Grade, James H. Hall, World War II, U.S. Army, Hopewell
- Petty Officer 3rd Class Alfred J. Nardi, Lebanon Peacekeeping Mission, U.S. Navy, Princeton
- Machinist's Mate 3rd Class, William M. Paradiso, Vietnam War, U.S. Navy, Hamilton
HUNTERDON COUNTY
- Seaman Christopher J. Fischer, Operation Enduring Freedom, U.S. Navy, Glen Gardner
- Pvt. Brandon J. Grochala, Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Army, Glen Gardner
- Pvt. First Class Gabriel Joza, Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Marine Corps, Glen Gardner
OCEAN COUNTY
- Boatswain's Mate Second Class Rudolph V. Porcellini, World War II, U.S. Navy, Jackson
- Spcl. Thomas J. Sidle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Army, Tuckerton
BURLINGTON COUNTY
- Sgt. Sharell Campbell, Operations Enduring & Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Army, Delran
The Military and Veterans Affairs department awarded the medals to kick off a three-day event at the veterans outreach kiosk at the mall, which is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.
At the kiosk, veterans and their family members can learn more about benefits or entitlements that they could be eligible to receive. The program is run by the department's Veterans Outreach Program, which seeks one-on-one interactions with veterans or their family members.
The state's Distinguished Service Medal was originally issued in 1858 for those who distinguished themselves in the New Jersey Militia, but was used infrequently until re-authorized by Governor Kean in 1988, officials said.
In order to be eligible for the medal, recipients must meet the following criteria: be a current resident of New Jersey, a resident of New Jersey at the time of entering military service, have been honorably discharged and have proof of having served in combat while on active duty during wartime.
The medal can be awarded posthumously to the next-of-kin of a veteran who meets the criteria. Anyone interested in applying for the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal can call 888-865-8387.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.