'Rangers lead the way:' Hawley man, 100, honored for his service during World War II
As an Army Ranger during World War II, Sgt. Joseph Drake helped liberate Buchenwald, one of the first and the largest of the concentration camps in Germany.
During the Battle of the Bulge, the lifelong Wayne County resident was part of a six-man mission to capture a Nazi soldier for interrogation.
Almost 80 years after the end of World War II, Drake received the Congressional Gold Medal on June 26. It’s the highest honor given by Congress.
"Well, I would like to say I would never, never think that I would be in this kind of position, I think, during all my life and in the military, I just did my job," he said.
Drake was honored Monday for his service and the medal back home during a small ceremony at the Wayne County Courthouse in Honesdale. His family, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, were by his side.
"I just want to take a moment to recognize that we truly are in the presence of someone from the greatest generation,” Wayne County Commissioner Brian Smith said.
His son, John Drake, said the ceremony in Washington, D.C., was a wonderful event.
"It's just really special to see kind of that coming back, where the community is thanking him and recognizing his his achievements that he had during the war, making him feel a little special,” he said.
John Drake said, for his father, the medal of honor is not about him.
"He's accepting this on behalf of all the rangers, all his friends and others,” he said.
Drake is now one of only five surviving Army Rangers who served in World War II. The elite group once numbered 7,000.
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Drake had not yet received his 24-karat gold Congressional Medal. His family asked Olsommer if there was any way he could help expedite it.
"After having a wonderful visit, (I) left there, went back to the office, and proceeded to hound as many people as I possibly could to find that medal,” he said.
Olsommer got a call at 9:30 one night from U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan. He wanted to know about Drake.
"Congressman Bresnahan really jumped on board and helped push this matter down in Washington,” he said.
Drake was joined by Pfc. John Wardell during the ceremony in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol. The first Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to George Washington in 1776. To date, it's been presented to fewer than 200 recipients.
After World War II ended, Drake’s battalion was disbanded and he was honorably discharged in December 1945.
His country recognized that honorable service this year.
"What they did, it was incredible. They were out to save the world,” John Drake son said.