THE WARRIORS MEDAL OF VALOR OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN NATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES
The Warriors Medal of Valor from the Native American Nations was created and crafted by a Native American Chief who served in Vietnam. The medal may be awarded to any deserving Vietnam Veteran and is not limited to Native Americans. Our ability and opportunity to award the Warriors Medal of Valor has been approved by a local Tribal Council and made possible by Life Member #127 Alvin Matthews, who was the first Chairman of the VSPA Committee for the selection and presentation of the Warriors Medal of Valor. MSgt. Matthews was the first VSPA member to receive the Warriors Medal of Valor for his service in Vietnam. He received his medal from a tribal Chief while attending a Cherokee Powwow in 2005. He subsequently worked to make it possible for the VSPA to present the medal. Alvin and his daughter, Janet Matthews, made all of the arrangements to present the Warriors Medal of Valor at our reunions in 2006 and 2007. They personally financed the awards for our members. The presentation is a very moving experience and an honor for all recipients. MSgt. Matthews passed away in 2008. Members of the VSPA contributed funds in his name to ensure that the Warriors Medal would continue to be funded and awarded to deserving members of the VSPA. His daughter Janet continues to honor her father as the Co-Chair of the VSPA Committee for the selection and presentation of the Warriors Medal of Valor.
| YEAR | RECIPROCATES |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| 2024 | JAIME LLERAS SAMUEL “MARTY” MARTINEZ MARK D. BUCKBERRY LONNIE D. BEESON KEN SMERECKI JOHN W. PROBST |
| 2023 | ROBERT M. WEDDING CHARLES W. BLOOD SAMUEL J. WILLIAMS JR. ELIA “LEE” CHAMBERS FRANK M. CROWDER, JR. |
| 2022 | WENDELL WALLACE ROBERT CURNICK FRANK YBARBO DONALD BISHOP KEITH YOUNG GENERAL RONALD FOGLEMAN |
| 2021/2020 | COMBINED DUE TO COVID-19 CANCELLATION OF THE 2020 REUNION LARRY DEE FLEMING JEFFREY L. KERKHOFF JAMES J. STASTNY MICHAEL K. REGAN PAUL SHAVE BILL HARRIS JIM LEBOWITZ MICHAEL KENNEDY MARTIN STRONES ROBERT DEKE DECUBELLIS |
| 2020 | RAY POSS, UNITED STATES NAVY VETERAN OF THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS ON THE USS HORNET– INSTRUCTOR PILOT FOR MILITARY PILOTS. JERRY POSS, VSPA ASSOCIATE MEMBER, U.S. ARMY VIETNAM VETERAN WITH AGENT ORANGE COMPLICATIONS |
| 2019 | MIKE BUFFINGTON JON HEMP LARRY POSS ERIC JOHNSON RAYMOND E. “RAY” SILHAVY |
| 2018 | BRIGADIER GENERAL (RETIRED) RICHARD A. COLEMAN ALLEN K. WORKMAN (Posthumous) HOWARD YATES BRIAN LAMASNEY, MASTER SGT. (RETIRED RICHARD PARSONS, CMSGT, 820TH BASE DEFENSE GROUP |
| 2017 | ARTHUR J. RODGERS, JR. COL. (RET) BERNIE DENISIO - FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION COL MEL GROVER - FOR VALOR IN ACTION JAMES T. (TERRY) STRICKLAND (Posthumous) WILLIAM SOLESKI JON HAYES LYLE BRAKOB |
| 2016 | STEPHEN L. CURRY TONY MORRIS STEVE HALL TERRY HALL BILL MARSHALL |
| 2015 | JOHN PAUL COAKLEY JOHN WEBSTER DON GRAHAM JERRY A. DISHMAN RICHARD BALL |
| 2014 | BUD OWENS DAVE PIERSON RICHARD GARCIA VAN DIGBY ROBERT THRONEBURG |
| 2013 | BEN BARTO (Posthumous) LEW GOLDBERG PATRICK DUNNE STEVE SHELT HECTOR RAMOS |
| 2012 | MASTER CHIEF JAMES WINDHAM MAJOR CHRISTOPHER “KIT” JOHNSON EDWIN JACK SMITH ALEXANDER LIVERANO PHIL CARROLL |
| 2011 | DAVID SUMMERFIELD (Posthumous) JOHN HOMA KEN NEAL ERNIE CHILDERS KELLY BATEMAN |
| 2010 | THOMAS TESSIER RAY RASH RANDY “RAMPS” STUTLER GARY JONES JERRY NELSON |
| 2009 | WILLIAM “PETE” PIAZZA JAMES RANDALL AL HANDY |
| 2008 | ROBERT FRINK WILLIAM CUMMINGS THOMAS TESSIER (see 2010 above for presentation) LUTHER YOUNG RICHARD HOLSTEIN |
| 2007 | GREGORY CAIN MILLARD LEHMAN (Posthumous) JACK ROBERTS JOHN RISSE PETE VILLARREAL |
| 2026 | KENT MILLER JACKIE KAYS DON POSS STEVE GATTIS |
| 2005 | ALVIN MATTHEWS, OUR FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE WARRIOR’S MEDAL OF VALOR |
VSPA is an association for USAF Vietnam War Veterans who served in Vietnam or Thailand from 1960-1975, as Air Police / Security Police or as an Augmentee. Visit the main pages for information on joining
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