Green Bay Reporter

Rep. Gallagher this week presented Green Bay native Joe Mertens with medals he earned for his service in World War II. Mertens joined the U.S. Navy just months before his 18th birthday in 1943 and went on to be stationed at Naval bases Gamadodo and at Gili Gili, where he played a role in helping U.S. forces liberate the Philippines and retake other key sites in the Indo-Pacific. 

In a speech presenting Mertens with the long overdue medals he earned, Rep. Gallagher said, "The battles fought in the Pacific theater are considered some of the fiercest in Naval history. Against overwhelming odds, Joe and his fellow sailors stood shoulder to shoulder on the bridges and in the engine rooms of our mighty warships, and in critical roles on the far-flung Naval stations across the theater. Against overwhelming odds, they kept the faith. The steadfast commitment to American values displayed by sailors like Joe allowed U.S. forces to weather the tremendous costs of the conflict in the Pacific theater and emerge victorious.

"The medals presented to Mertens were the:

• Asiatic Pacific Combat Medal,
• World War 2 Victory Medal,
• Honorable Discharge Button, and the
• Honorable Service Lapel Pin (The Ruptured Duck).

You can read the congressman's full remarks as they were prepared for delivery below: 

It is a true privilege to be here with you today to honor Joe Mertens for his service to our country. It certainly is a rare occasion that I get to meet, much less honor, a World War Two veteran like Joe.

Born in Green Bay on August 18, 1925, Joe joined the United States Navy on May 6, 1943, just months before his 18th birthday, as he was preparing to graduate from high school. Joe was called to serve while the world was embroiled in the Second World War – he made this courageous decision with full knowledge of the dangers he might face. In the face of global strife, Joe raised his right hand and chose to live out the values of service that Americans hold so dear, regardless of the potential cost.

Upon his completion of basic training, Joe was quickly sent into the heat of the United States’ involvement in the Pacific Theater. He was stationed at Naval Base Gamadodo and at Naval Base Gili Gili, which was the site of one of the first land victories by the United States over Japanese forces in 1942 at Milne Bay.

In 1942, Imperial Japan controlled nearly every island between the Philippines and Hawaii. Regaining the advantage in the Pacific theater would require a herculean effort by the U.S. military and would involve retaking the key sites– including Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tinian, Tarawa, and Peleliu - that dotted the vast Pacific Ocean and were heavily fortified by Japanese forces. The U.S. Navy played a critical role in ensuring the success of this island-hopping campaign. The battles fought in the Pacific theater are considered some of the fiercest in Naval history. Against overwhelming odds, Joe and his fellow sailors stood shoulder to shoulder on the bridges and in the engine rooms of our mighty warships, and in critical roles on the far-flung Naval stations across the theater. And most importantly, against these odds, they kept the faith. The steadfast commitment to American values displayed by sailors like Joe allowed U.S. forces to weather the tremendous costs of the conflict in the Pacific theater and emerge victorious.

Thank you, Joe, for continuing to live out those same values which inspired you to enlist in the Navy in 1943, and for modeling this strength, resilience, and commitment to your family and community.

I’ve been honored to work with Joe’s family to get these medals he earned for his selfless service during World War Two. As a member of the Greatest Generation, it is fitting that we honor him in this way. Through Joe’s service he not only defended our country but spurred on an incredible family tradition of service. Inspiring his son, Tom, to serve in Vietnam and his grandson, Greg, to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I could not be prouder to present the following medals to Joe and his family:

• Asiatic Pacific Combat Medal,
• World War 2 Victory Medal,
• Honorable Discharge Button, and the
• Honorable Service Lapel Pin (The Ruptured Duck). 

Thank you, Joe, your amazing wife, Bernice, your daughter Gail, and your entire family for asking me to help obtain these medals and decorations for you. These honors are well-deserved and long overdue. I thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country.  

Click HERE for pictures of the event available for broadcast and distribution.

Issues: Veterans

Original source can be found here.