Ashland Hero Presented Purple Heart on Veterans Day
November 12, 2015
Press Release
The Office of Congressman Bruce Poliquin honors Corporal Joseph O’Clair for his courageous service during the Korean War
ASHLAND – Maine’s Second District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, has secured a Purple Heart for an Ashland man who was wounded in the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge during the Korean War.
On Wednesday, Corporal Joseph O’Clair was presented the Purple Heart in a small ceremony at the Ashland VFW 9699 by Congressman Poliquin’s Aroostook County based Staff Assistant, Kim Rohn.
“I want to commend Corporal Joseph O'Clair for his courage and thank him for his sacrifice,” said Congressman Poliquin. “We are forever indebted to him and those he served alongside. While long overdue, this Purple Heart is well-deserved and is presented as a small token of our Nation’s great appreciation for your brave efforts to keep us safe and free.”
O’Clair served in the United States Army from 1950-53. During the intense, month-long Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, a North Korean attack initiated a landslide that crushed the Ashland man, breaking his right leg and hip. More than 64 years later, that leg remains three inches shorter than the left.
Despite the injury, O’Clair returned to Aroostook County and was employed at Fournier Logging and later Pinkham Lumber, where he worked alongside two of his three sons as a Saw Filer. A hard-working and devoted family man, O’Clair has been married to his wife, Lydia, for 61 years and the couple has five grown children including Barbara, Arnold, Steven, Nora and Andrew.
In September, the O’Clair family enlisted Congressman Poliquin to help them secure recognition of their father’s injuries at the hands of the enemy.
“We owe Maine’s Veterans our thanks for their service to our country and the cause of freedom around the globe,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I am honored to represent heroes like Corporal O’Clair and the more than 66,000 Veterans in Maine’s Second Congressional District and am committed to helping our heroes and their families receive the recognition and the benefits they were promised, earned and deserve.”
Maine Second Congressional District Veterans and their family members may request military medals or assistance with benefits by contacting Congressman Poliquin’s offices in Lewiston (784-0768), Bangor (942-0583) or Presque Isle (764-1968).