To the Editor:

I am writing to congratulate Anthony Falese of Westerlo, a recent recipient of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Mutual Defense Medal, also known as the U.S.- ROC Mutual Defense Medal, which was issued by the Taiwan Ministry of Defense to honor American personnel who served in Taiwan between 1955 and 1979.

The award recognizes the contribution of United States soldiers toward maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait during the period from 1955 to 1979. During this period of time, the Republic of China was under constant threat of takeover by Communist China through verbal threats and also Chinese military actions such as firing on and bombing islands like Quemoy and smaller islands near mainland Taiwan.

Mr. Falese enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was deployed to the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1968. He earned the rank of communication technician, learning Vietnamese and later Mandarin, the main language of China.

In Vietnam, he monitored enemy transmissions regarding troop movements, supply movements, and locations of surface-to-air missile batteries and relayed this reconnaissance information to U.S. and South Vietnamese troops in the field.

In 1965, Communication Technician Falese was transferred to Taiwan where he used his reconnaissance skills and knowledge of Mandarin to report Chinese threats to Taiwan to our military assets in this area. The transmission of information to our troops allowed for adjustments that kept Taiwan from invasion by the Communist Chinese.

It was his work in Taiwan in 1965 that earned Mr. Falese the U.S.-ROC Mutual Defense Medal.

After his time in Taiwan, he returned to Vietnam to continue his reconnaissance work from 1965 to 1968. He was on board reconnaissance aircraft and flew 107 missions overall; his transmissions of surface-to-air missile batteries saved countless pilots from possible harm. He also reported enemy troop movements to our soldiers in the field.

Mr. Falese earned four Air Medals, a Naval Unit Commendation Medal, and several other Vietnam medals. He also received the New York State Medal for Merit, the New York State Conspicuous Service Star Medal, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross — New York State’s highest service award.

Mr. Falese was honorably discharged in1968. Mr. Falese is the only Hilltown resident to earn this medal thus far.

Tom Mullins

Veterans Advocate Green Island, New York