PHOTOS: On Veterans Day, Senator Peters Presents Military Medals to Mid-Michigan Gold Star Family of Vietnam Veteran at Saginaw Valley State University

WASHINGTON, DC – On Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) presented a Mid-Michigan Gold Star family with several military medals awarded to their late father, Captain James McClain, for his service in the Vietnam War. After serving in the Michigan National Guard, Captain McClain enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served as a Civic Action Advisor in the U.S. Army’s 7^th Infantry Division in South Vietnam from February to July of 1964, where he helped build roads and provide support to local innocent civilians impacted by the war. Captain McClain was tragically killed when he and fellow servicemembers were ambushed by Viet Cong forces while returning from a mission. Captain McClain was posthumously awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart for his service, as well as the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam National Order Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksman Badge, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

“Captain McClain was a true American hero. He risked and ultimately gave his life in service to our nation and democracy, and he did so while seeking to build connection and understanding between two peoples,” said Senator Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. “This Veterans Day, I am honored to help recognize his profound bravery and selflessness, as well as the sacrifices of his family.”

“We are honored to have been given the opportunity to welcome Captain McClain’s family and to see his service medals awarded on campus,” said SVSU President George Grant Jr. “We are home to many military-affiliated students at SVSU, and ceremonies such as this remind us of the value and importance of their military service to our nation.”

Captain McClain’s daughter contacted Peters’ office for assistance acquiring her family’s Gold Star Lapel Button, through which the office discovered and shared her father’s numerous accolades from the service. During the event, Peters presented Captain McClain’s daughter with his military medals, as well as the Gold Star Lapel Button, to recognize both his heroic service to our nation and the profound sacrifices made by his family.

The ceremony was held at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) in conjunction with the SVSU’s annual Veterans Day Breakfast, which recognizes SVSU students, staff, and faculty who have served or are currently serving in the United States. In October, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) awarded SVSU its new Education Innovator Award for the university’s exceptional support of military-affiliated students. Peters also released a video statement to commemorate Veterans Day. 

To download photos from the ceremony, click HERE.

As the son of a World War II veteran and a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Peters is committed to supporting our nation’s servicemembers and veterans. In 2021, Peters was inducted into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor for his efforts to support our nation’s veterans and military. In 2017, Peters was recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Vietnam Veterans of America for authoring the bipartisan Fairness for Veterans Act, which was signed into law as part of the national defense bill. The legislation requires veteran discharge review boards to give liberal consideration to petitions for honorable discharge status if the servicemember has been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI or other related conditions connected to their military service. As of the fall of 2020, more than 1,500 veterans have had their discharges upgraded since his legislation was enacted. In 2022, Peters helped enact into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act – which delivered VA health care and benefits to all generations of toxic-exposed veterans – and their survivors – for the first time in our nation’s history. As of August 2024, nearly 43,000 veterans across Michigan have applied for the benefits made available under this law.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Peters has repeatedly helped advance and pass into law strong national defense bills to bolster U.S. national security. Peters again helped craft and advance the annual defense legislation this year, where Peters secured funding and provisions to specifically support Michigan’s military installations and robust defense sector, improve our nation’s long-term strategic efforts to combat aggression by adversaries like China and Russia, and give our servicemembers a pay raise.  

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