Sharpsville veteran honored with Ambassador for Peace Medal
SHARPSVILLE, Pa - From 1951 to 1955, Sharpsville's Ed Volansky proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was aboard the USS New Jersey during the Korean War.
"We were there when the truce was signed, we were the last ship to fire upon the North Koreans," said Volansky.
Volansky was recognized Thursday for his bravery and courage in a special ceremony where Congressman Mike Kelly presented him with the Republic of Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal.
"The award means to me a great deal," Volansky said. "It was just an honor to receive it and I'm humbled by it but I always think of the one's that didn't make it and those are the one's that really deserve this."
A ceremony honoring the 88-year-old was supposed to take place a year ago, but it fell through the cracks and the medal was just mailed to him.
VFW Post 6404 in Sharpsville didn't think that was right, so they reached out to Senior Master Sergeant Bob Barko Jr. with the 910th Air Reserve Station to assist in giving Volansky the proper recognition he deserves.
Along with Congressman Kelly's presentation of the Ambassador for Peach Medal, proclamations and resolutions were also made by a state senator, state representative, county commissioners, Sharpsville's Mayor, the VFW and 910th Air Reserve Station.
"It was just a great event to be involved with and the opportunity to put it together to recognize a great, great gentleman," Barko said.
The Republic of Korea established the Ambassador for Peace Medal in 2018 and any Korean War veteran who served during the war or in peacekeeping operations through 1955 are eligible to apply for it.
Barko hopes more veterans will apply and more presentations take place.
"For me now as a 25-year service member, those are the folks that inspired me, the folks of WWII, Korea, Vietnam," Barko said. "We are just following in the footsteps of those who came before us and we're trying to do the best we can and hopefully make them proud."
For more information on the Republic of Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal or to apply, just click here.
