Congresswoman Claudia Tenney held a ceremony on Friday honoring a local veteran and community member for his service during World War II.  The awards were given to the family of John C. Ford, posthumously.  Assunda Ford (his wife) and family accepted WWII medals on behalf of the late Ford at the office of Congressperson Claudia Tenney on Saturday, June 24, 2017 in New Hartford, NY.

John Ford was a Sgt. in the U.S. Army and served in many battles including the battle of Normandy. "He was one in a million. He was the best husband and father and he did so much to help people afford tuition at Utica College," said Assunda Ford  John Ford started working at Utica College after the war when it was just starting up in Oneida Square, working with the GI bill. Ford worked at Utica College for 43 years, retiring in 1994 as Vice President of the college.

Ford received the World War II Victory Medal, European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Ruptured Duck Lapel Pin for Honorable Service.

John Ford died in 2014 at the age of 93.

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