PRESS RELEASE
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) was joined by United States Army Buffalo Recruiting Commander Captain Randy Warren and VA Western New York Healthcare System Chief of Staff Dr. Grace Stringfellow, and Buffalo Naval & Military Park President Paul Marzello for a ceremony recognizing the service of Vietnam War veteran Sergeant Phillip Yockey.
Higgins said, “Sergeant Yockey dedicated his life to serving and protecting the country and community he loves. We are eternally grateful for his commitment and honored to have this opportunity to recognize the great sacrifices he’s made.”
Phillip Yockey was born on May 30, 1949 to parents, Phillip Glenn Yockey, Sr. and Dolores Agnes Snyder. The family, including Phil’s sister Phyllis, lived in the Black Rock neighborhood of Buffalo, New York.
At the age of 19, Phil enlisted in the United States Army. After completing basic training in 1968, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he worked in the Army’s 37th Transportation Group.
In September of 1971, Yockey’s Staff Sergeant, Issac Wright, wrote to him saying, “I want to express to you my deep admiration and thanks for the way that you have done your job… It would be an extreme pleasure to serve with you again in the future…”
Sergeant Yockey was discharged, fulfilling his initial service commitment, and reenlisted in 1971. He began a new Transportation Group assignment with United States Army in Europe. While serving in Bremerhaven and Frankfurt, Germany, Sergeant Yockey spent his off-duty time earning his high school degree. He later returned stateside serving in the 505th Signal Company at Fort Huachuca in Arizona before his discharge on February 18, 1979 after nearly 10 years of honorable service.
He returned home to Buffalo without the medals he earned throughout a decade of service.
In 1983, Phillip met his bride-to-be Charlene, and the two were married on Flag Day in 1986. The couple made their home in the Black Rock neighborhood where he grew up, they had a daughter, Nicole in 1987 and ten years ago Nicole had a daughter of her own, Martina Rose.
SGT Yockey worked as a mechanic at City Service Taxi and fixed cars at Gliden Garage on Buffalo’s West Side. In 1989, Mr. Yockey became a New York State corrections officer, a position he held for 25 years until his retirement in 2011.
During his service, SGT Yockey was exposed to Agent Orange, an herbicide that was sprayed to remove vegetation providing enemy cover during the Vietnam War, and is now associated with various health conditions. As a result of Agent Orange induced diabetes, he lost his legs and moved out of his beloved Black Rock neighborhood to the Buffalo VA Hospital’s Willow Lodge, where he has access to direct care.
“We are honored to provide long-term health care needs for SGT Yockey and other Veteran residents of our Buffalo and Batavia community living centers, ” said Michael J. Swartz, Executive Director. “Our dedicated and caring clinical staff are very knowledgeable in treating our Veteran patients who suffer from exposure to toxicants like Agent Orange during their Vietnam service. No other health care system does it better.”
The Yockey family recently reached out to Congressman Higgins’ office seeking to pay tribute to the Vietnam Veteran.
Sergent Yockey’s name will be added to the Wall of Honor at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park.
Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park President Paul Marzello said, “With SGT Yockey’s name enshrined on our Wall of Honor, the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park continues to fulfill our mission of honoring our Veterans. Recognition for Mr. Yockey’s Vietnam service and sacrifices, compounded by Agent Orange exposure, make this ceremony and long overdue presentation of his medals at VA Western New York Healthcare System very special.”
During a ceremony at Willow Lodge, Congressman Higgins presented Sergeant Yockey with the following medals he earned over 50 years ago:
- Good Conduct Medal, with Bronze Clasp & three loops: representing more than 9 years of “honorable and faithful” service in the United States Army
- National Defense Service Medal: Awarded for active duty service during the Vietnam War
- Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars: Awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces serving in Vietnam between July 1965 and March 1973. One bronze service star is awarded for each campaign.
- Driver and Mechanic Badge: Presented to drivers, mechanics and equipment operators demonstrating a high degree of skill in operation and maintenance of motor vehicles.
SGT Yockey also received the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device: Which recognizes members of allied forces who served in the Vietnam War for a period of at least six months or who were wounded, captured or killed in action. The “1960 Bar” device is given with the medal to indicate the years the war was fought.
Congressman Higgins also presented SGT Yockey with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin. The America Vietnam War Commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense, and launched to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Congressman Higgins registered to be a Commemorative Partner and is committed to honoring Vietnam Veterans over the designated Anniversary period.
Featured on the pin is:
- An Eagle – representing courage, honor and dedicated service to our nation
- A Blue Circle – matching the canton of the American flag and signifying vigilance, perseverance and justice
- A Laurel Wreath – representing victory, integrity and strength
- Stripes – representing the American Flag
- Six Stars – representing the six allies who served, sacrificed and fought alongside one another
- And the message: “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.”
Higgins office also helped the Yockey family put together a shadow box that features the medals as well as a flag provided by Congressman Higgins that was flown over the United States Capitol.
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