Van Hollen, Cardin, Kaine, Warner Present Prisoner of War Medals to Maryland Veteran Ronald Dolecki & Virginia Veteran David Strickland | U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland

June 24, 2022

Awards observe Van Hollen legislative motion to safe medals

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (each D-Md.) introduced Military Specialist Ronald Dolecki, a veteran residing in Huntingtown, Maryland, with a Prisoner of Battle (POW) Medal honoring his navy service in Ethiopia. Senator Van Hollen authored a legislative provision to safe Mr. Dolecki’s medal following the Military’s misapplication of the regulation to his distinctive case. They had been joined by Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner (each D-Va.) who introduced a POW medal to Virginia veteran David Strickland, which he additionally obtained because of Senator Van Hollen’s legislative motion. 

“Ron Dolecki’s story is the story of American heroism. After making a daring escape from captivity in Ethiopia, he helped save his two mission companions who had been additionally taken prisoner. He displayed true braveness in motion, and after a years-long effort to award him the Prisoner of Battle Medal, we had been lastly in a position to safe the popularity he so clearly deserves,” mentioned Senator Van Hollen. “It’s my honor to congratulate Ron and thank his household and associates who helped get this throughout the end line.”

“We can not overstate our gratitude for all of the sacrifices made by Specialist Dolecki whereas serving this nation. He’s a hero who endured excruciating circumstances whereas held captive,” mentioned Senator Cardin. “It’s a privilege to hitch in honoring Mr. Dolecki for his unbelievable spirit, patriotism, grit and bravado.” 

“In 1975, Military Specialist David S. Strickland was kidnapped whereas serving our nation. He spent 4 months in captivity, enduring ongoing bodily and psychological hardships and never figuring out when, or if, he would ever see his household once more,” mentioned Senator Warner. “Though this recognition is greater than 46 years overdue, I’m very proud to hitch my colleagues in recognizing Specialist Strickland’s sacrifice with the Prisoner of Battle Medal he rightfully deserves.”  

“That is about equity. The change that was made within the NDAA isn’t solely opening up alternatives for Military Specialist David S. Strickland and Military Sergeant Ron Dolecki to be acknowledged with the POW medal. The change that has been made goes to allow many, many others who’ve lengthy been denied to ultimately see the day that they do as nicely. That work is already underway because of this effort. I do know I converse for all of us: we really feel honored to play an element in getting right here,” mentioned Senator Kaine. 

Whereas on a mapping mission in Ethiopia in 1965, Mr. Dolecki was captured by armed, uniformed members of the Eritrean Liberation Entrance (ELF). He suffered below brutal circumstances whereas in captivity however ultimately escaped and saved the lives of two different people. Nevertheless, Mr. Dolecki had been denied the POW Medal for greater than a decade even after Congress handed a regulation in 2013 to make clear the factors for the respect. Upon studying of this challenge, Senator Van Hollen took legislative motion – together with writing twice to the Secretary of the Military and passing report language accompanying the 2022 Nationwide Protection Authorization Act (NDAA) to assist make sure the correct software of the regulation with a purpose to safe Mr. Dolecki’s medal. Mr. Dolecki’s POW medal award was accepted in March 2022, as was a medal for the late Jack Kalmbach, who served as Mr. Dolecki’s pilot on the mission. The awards observe a few years of advocacy from Mr. Dolecki, Dr. Dwight Mears, and the Senator to safe the respect.Mr. Strickland was taken captive by the ELF in 1975 below considerably comparable circumstances as Mr. Dolecki however had additionally been denied consideration for the POW Medal for years till Senator Van Hollen’s motion.

Excessive decision photographs and video can be found upon request.

Picture 1: Senators Van Hollen and Cardin with the Dolecki household after presenting Mr. Dolecki along with his POW Medal.

Picture 2: Senators Warner and Kaine with the Strickland household after presenting Mr. Strickland along with his POW Medal.