Korean War veteran honored by commission

NORWALK — John Churchill took a moment to collect himself after being honored by the Huron County Veteran Service Commission.

“Really something,” said the 89-year-old Korean War veteran.

Korean War veteran John Churchill and his daughter Lisa Albright, both of Norwalk, smile after the Huron County Veteran Service Commission pinned him with ribbons during its Feb. 2 commission meeting. CARY ASHBY/HCVSO

Churchill was drafted into the U.S. Army after he graduated from Norwalk High School. He served from February 1953 through February 1955 on active duty, plus six more years in the U.S. Army Reserves. Churchill was stationed in Korea for one year.

“In 1962, I got my discharge,” he said.

In the Army, Churchill was a teletype repairman. Teletypes assisted with communication between units and headquarters.

“I worked in the shop (and) repaired teletypes. (I) kept them running,” Churchill said.

Lisa Albright, of Norwalk, watched with pride as her father received Korean War ribbons during the Feb. 2 commission meeting. Commissioners, HCVSO Director Matt Raymond and staff members applauded Churchill after the brief ceremony.

Albright said her father didn't tell her much about his time in the Army when she was a child. However, Churchill said he has shared more “in the last several years,” which has helped him process his experience.