Congressman Cleaver honors Vietnam Veteran with medals earned 40 years ago
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II honored Mr. Thomas Joseph Mumm, a Veteran of the Vietnam War, with medals earned during his service to our country. Then Machinist Mate Third Class Mumm served aboard the Essex class aircraft carrier U.S.S. Shangri-La. Upon completion of his duty, Mr. Mumm never received the medals he deserved. Nearly forty years after his service, Congressman Cleaver was able to have Mr. Mumm’s awards and commendations re-issued by the Department of Defense.
“It is my great honor to award Mr. Mumm the medals he so bravely earned while in the Navy. These medals are symbols of gratitude from the people of America for a job well done in defense of our freedom. They are passed from generation to generation as reminders of the sacrifices made by those who put their lives on the line for us. It is always a privilege, even forty years after the fact, to decorate a veteran. My sincere thanks to Mr. Mumm for all he has done in service to our nation,” said Congressman Cleaver.
The awards were presented to Mr. Mumm as part of the Congressman’s 51st “Coffee with Cleaver”. On behalf of, and with the thanks of the people of the United States of America, Mr. Mumm’s son pinned on his father: the Navy Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device.
Mr. Mumm is a resident of Lee’s Summit, Missouri.