Hurchel Lindy Melton finally received his Korean Defense Service Medal.

For that, he was thankful to the office of State Assemblyman Heath Flora (R-Ripon).

According to Field Representative Jason Laughlin, Flora’s mobile district office sets up shop just prior to the first Manteca City Council meeting of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Jimmie Connors Post 6311.

It was there that Melton, who is a member of the local VFW, first mentioned the Korean Defense Service Medal, which is awarded to those who served duty in South Korea.

Melton had a 35-year career in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1996.

“He never received his (Korean) service medal,” Laughlin said.

Through Flora’s office along with assistance from U.S. Representative Josh Harder’s office in Modesto, he was able to get the wheels moving on Melton’s KDSM.

Those efforts began on March 11, recalled Laughlin.

Prior to Thursday’s VFW meeting, Melton received KDSM during a recognition ceremony consisting of City Councilman Jose Nuño, Katie Jaycox from Harder’s office, and Laughlin.

“He deserved this medal,” said Ilse Melton, Lindy’s wife of 60 years.

She and other family members including their daughter Brenda Duran were in attendance for Lindy Melton’s special day,