Uniontown Vietnam veteran receives medals 56 years later
Uniontown Vietnam veteran receives medals 56 years later
More than half a century after serving in Vietnam, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Floyd Geho has received additional recognition for his military service, including three decorations he never expected to receive.
Geho, of Uniontown, who served in both the Army Signal Corps and Quartermaster Corps, initially sought a review of his military records in hopes of receiving a Purple Heart he declined while serving in Vietnam in 1970.
After reconsidering his decision, Geho decide to pursue the matter following a visit from congressional representatives to Uniontown, which provided veterans an opportunity to seek reviews of their military records.
“We submitted a report to the Army Review Board for them to review all of my military records to determine my eligibility,” Geho said last week.
Although the board ultimately did not approve the Purple Heart, it authorized three additional military decorations: a second Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.
Geho received his first Bronze Star in 1971, where his wife presented the medal to him at the Uniontown reserve center associated with the 1005 Supply Company.
The Vietnam Service Medal recognizes his service to the country, while the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross citation was an award Geho said he had not previously known about.
“I had no knowledge of that particular award,” Geho said.
Despite the more than two years it took for the Army review board to examine his military personnel records, Geho said the outcome was well worth the wait.
“It’s absolutely amazing because I would have never envisioned receiving three medals, in addition to what I’ve already received,” Geho said. “It’s just unbelievable after 56 years to be honored in such a way.”
Geho acknowledged the review process required patience, particularly as the Army examined the records he accumulated throughout his military career.
“Not knowing how long an Army review board takes to review a person’s military 201 file, and all the military records that you’ve accumulated over the numerous years, I guess I got a bit impatient,” Geho said. “But nevertheless they did come through.”
Geho encouraged other veterans who may have declined military decorations during their service and later reconsidered to pursue a records review.
When asked whether he would recommend that other veterans seek reconsideration, Geho responded, “Absolutely.”
Geho credited U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler’s office and a representative who visited Uniontown with helping prompt him to pursue the review.
Ultimately, what began as an effort to revisit a decision made during his service in Vietnam resulted in three additional military decorations Geho said he never imagined receiving more than a half-century later.
“I’m just grateful,” Geho said.