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U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello presents medals to honor area veteran

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ William H. James Jr., an area U.S. Air Force veteran, was honored posthumously on Monday, June 21, 2010 by U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello, (D-IL). Congressman Costello presented military medals to Mr. James' son, William H. James III in a ceremony at the Red Bud City Hall.

Mr. James first entered the U.S. Army Air Corps on October 28, 1939 and served in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged in August, 1946 and re-enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in February, 1947. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1960.

Congressman Costello presented the following medals:

Air Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters

Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze oak leaf clusters

Good Conduct Medal with two bronze loops

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Air Force Longevity Service Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters

Honorable Service Lapel Button

National Defense Service Medal

Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

Philippine Independence Ribbon

Philippine Liberation Ribbon