BELLEVILLE, NJ – Officials are inviting the general public to the special plaque unveiling ceremony on Monday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m. to fulfill Public Law 115-318 dedicating the Belleville NJ Post Office at 413 Washington Avenue to a hometown hero and Medal of Honor recipient Private Henry Svehla.

The Belleville native was posthumously awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, in 2011 for his actions in the Korean War in 1952. Previously, U.S. Army Private First Class Svehla had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Scheduled participants in the May 20 plaque unveiling ceremony include: Anthony Svehla – nephew of Private Henry Svehla, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Congressman Albio Sires, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham, U.S. Postal Service Northern New Jersey District Manager Michael Deignan, U.S. Army Captain Adrienne M. Smith, American Legion Post 150 Honor Guard, and the Belleville High School Choir.  

Private Henry Svehla’s Medal of Honor citation reads in part:

“…Private First Class Svehla, utterly disregarding his own safety, destroyed enemy positions and inflicted heavy casualties, when suddenly, fragments from a mortar round exploding nearby seriously wounded him in the face. Despite his wounds, Private First Class Svehla refused medical treatment and continued to lead the attack.

When an enemy grenade landed among a group of his comrades, Private First Class Svehla, without hesitation and undoubtedly aware of extreme danger, threw himself upon the grenade. During this action, Private First Class Svehla was mortally wounded. Private First Class Svehla's extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army…”

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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