Roegner Attends Dedication of "Army Sgt. Vernon R. Judd Memorial Highway"
September 2, 2022
Kristina D. Roegner News
COLUMBUS—State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) attended the ceremony today designating a mile-long portion of County Road 321 in Stark County as “Army Sgt. Vernon R. Judd Memorial Highway.” Roegner co-sponsored House Bill 291 honoring American heroes including Judd, who died in a prisoner of war camp in North Korea.
“Today we honor the life and legacy of Army Sgt. Vernon Judd, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom," said Roegner. "He answered the call of duty in service to our nation and we will forever be thankful.”
Vernon Judd was one of ten children in his family who were raised in the small community of Elton in Stark County. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1948 and was assigned to Company D, 89th Medium Tank Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, at the beginning of the Korean War in the summer of 1950. Judd was captured in November. Prison conditions were horrific during the bitterly cold winter, and the 22-year-old died on February 15, 1951.
Judd's family could not recover his remains for 67 years. President Donald Trump negotiated the return of the soldier's remains, and those of 54 other American service members, in 2018. Judd was laid to rest with full military honors at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on September 24, 2019.
Sgt. Judd was awarded numerous honors, including the Purple Heart, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with a Japan clasp, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
“Today we honor the life and legacy of Army Sgt. Vernon Judd, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom," said Roegner. "He answered the call of duty in service to our nation and we will forever be thankful.”
Vernon Judd was one of ten children in his family who were raised in the small community of Elton in Stark County. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1948 and was assigned to Company D, 89th Medium Tank Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, at the beginning of the Korean War in the summer of 1950. Judd was captured in November. Prison conditions were horrific during the bitterly cold winter, and the 22-year-old died on February 15, 1951.
Judd's family could not recover his remains for 67 years. President Donald Trump negotiated the return of the soldier's remains, and those of 54 other American service members, in 2018. Judd was laid to rest with full military honors at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on September 24, 2019.
Sgt. Judd was awarded numerous honors, including the Purple Heart, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with a Japan clasp, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.