Freehold WWII Veteran Receives Medals After 60 Years (Photos)

After waiting over 60 years, a WWII veteran received the recognition he deserved during the on Monday, May 28 at "The Point" in Freehold Borough.

Stockton Jones, Jr., a resident of for over 40 years, was honored at the annual service. He was presented with medals that were misplaced by the Army so long ago.

"Stockton was accepting his medals not only for himself, but for so many great warriors of his generation.  A generation that not only won the war for America, but for the entire free world," said Major General Tom Garrett, a retiree from the US Army.

This special presentation came to be after Freehold Township received an e-mail from Stockton’s daughter who lives in California. She explained that the Army had misplaced Stockton’s medals for over 60 years. When the Army found the medals, they sent them to him in the mail without a formal presentation.

Upon hearing this, Deputy Mayor David Salkin and the township decided it would be a great opportunity to honor this man at the annual Memorial Day Service.

“I imagine Stockton and his family were very happy to see a two-star general pinning Stockton's long-awaited Bronze Star on his chest,” said Salkin. “Stockton served 3 years in the Army, and fought at the Battle of the Bulge.  He deserved proper recognition, and I'm happy we were able to make this happen for the 90-year-old warrior.”

Many special military figures came out to the event to support this special occasion. Major General Garret, a Freehold Township resident who served 37 years in the Army with the 42nd Infantry Division, presented Stockton with his medals. Also there to support the presentation was Colonel Bill Peace, a Freehold Twp Police Officer as well as National Guardsman, and Captain Tran from the National Guard Armory in Freehold Township, who brought half dozen soldiers to the event.

Check out the photo gallery above to see this wonderful celebration of an American hero.