U.S. Navy veteran John Wells served his nation honorably after which labored to proper wrongs after his a long time of service. Now, he’s getting his flowers.
On Friday, March 20, Cdr. Wells (Ret.) was awarded the celebrated DAR Medal of Honor by the Louisiana Society of the Nationwide Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) throughout its 117th state convention held in Alexandria, La.
Wells was nominated by the Wharton Chapter and formally acknowledged by Bobbi Foster, nationwide vice chairman of the President Common’s Mission Committee, throughout the award presentation final week.
“I’m honored to simply accept this award on behalf of all of the volunteers at Navy-Veterans Advocacy—from the Blue Water Navy to the Procopio case, and the a whole bunch of hundreds of veterans lined by the PACT Act,” Wells instructed Navy.com after receiving the popularity.
We’re proud to assist convey long-overdue reduction to those that have waited far too lengthy for the advantages they earned.
He referenced the landmark 2019 federal circuit courtroom case, Procopio v. Wilkie (2019), which dominated that Blue Water Navy Vietnam veterans who served inside 12 nautical miles of Vietnam had been entitled to publicity of Agent Orange.
It stemmed from Navy veteran Alfred Procopio Jr. being denied service for prostate most cancers and diabetes mellitus—two diseases listed among the many Division of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) 14 presumptive illnesses related to publicity to Agent Orange.
Wells helped litigate that case, which helped safe advantages for about 90,000 Blue Water Navy veterans who had beforehand been denied care. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, which went into impact on Jan. 1, 2020, granted VA incapacity advantages to U.S. veterans who served as much as 12 nautical miles offshore Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and Could 7, 1975.
The DAR Medal of Honor, among the many group’s highest distinctions, was established in 1942 and acknowledges people whose management, patriotism and dedication to service have made lasting contributions to the nation.
Wells Portrays ‘The Beliefs of Patriotism’
Wells’ Navy tenure was a distinguished one.
He served greater than 20 years as a commissioned naval officer, finishing operational deployments throughout the Mediterranean, Western Pacific, North Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. The DAR described his army profession as one “marked by integrity, principled management, and an unwavering dedication to mission.”
However one might argue that it was his post-service efforts that made a fair larger distinction within the lives of numerous servicemembers and veterans.
After he retired, Wells earned his Juris Physician and have become a authorized advocate who helped others—usually by means of professional bono work. The legal professional centered efforts on points together with entry to earned advantages, poisonous publicity claims, and systemic challenges throughout the VA.
He’s the founder and government director of Navy-Veterans Advocacy, Inc., a nonprofit group offering authorized advocacy, training and coverage engagement on veterans’ and active-duty members’ behalf.
Such efforts, completed by means of federal litigation, legislative advocacy and coverage work, have helped broaden healthcare entry for veterans affected by poisonous exposures, together with Agent Orange and burn pits.
Past his work as an legal professional, Wells has additionally contributed to veterans’ remedy courtroom packages that in flip have helped justice-involved veterans rebuild their lives and efficiently reintegrate into their communities.
“Cdr. Wells’ lifetime of service really displays the beliefs of management, patriotism and dedication that this medal represents,” Bobbi Foster stated in a press release. “His unwavering dedication—each in uniform and past—has made a long-lasting impression on veterans and their households throughout our nation.”
