Married couple receives service medals for combined 35 years of service

Congressman Brian Higgins presented Gwen Colon and her late husband Henry service medals for their combined 35 years of service in the United States Navy.

Henry and Gwen Colon met at the Navy Exchange in 1980 and married seven years later. Henry and Gwen’s military service took them across the country, from California to Virginia, and Florida to Mississippi. Gwen’s assignments also took her overseas to Naples, Italy and throughout the Mediterranean. 

In January of 1999 Gwen returned home to Buffalo where she followed in her father’s footsteps, to serve veterans as an employee at the Buffalo VA Medical Center.  Gwen lost her beloved husband Henry in 2002. 

For 19 years of service in the United States Navy, the family of Radioman First Class Henry Colon was presented with the following: Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars, Navy Expeditionary Medal with one bronze star,  National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one bronze star, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Ribbon with one bronze star, Navy Sea Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star and a United States Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with Distinguished Device.

United States Navy Yeoman Second Class Gwen Colon was presented with the following: a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps, Overseas Service Ribbon with one bronze star, United States Coast Guard Special Operation Service Ribbon and the New York State Medal for Merit.