Michael P. Cody Jr.

John J. Bonacic

May 19, 2015

Michael P. Cody Jr.

Award: Honoring Our Veterans

Year: 2015

United States Army

Michael P. Cody Jr. was raised in Suffern, New York. In February 1967, he entered into the service of the United States Army. While serving his country in the Vietnam War, Mr. Cody was wounded in action and found himself in an Army hospital in Japan. Due to the severity of his wounds, Mr. Cody was returned to the States, and received an honorable discharge from active duty in 1969. 

Unfortunately for many of those who fought, the welcome home was not warm. Mr. Cody has dedicated his life to not only getting the Vietnam veterans the recognition they deserve, but also working tirelessly to make sure that no returning soldier ever faces what he did. 

Mr. Cody is the President of the American Soldiers’ Statue Committee, a group that has worked for more than 20 years to have monuments built in the Middletown community which honor all who fought. Mr. Cody was instrumental in building the beautiful memorial in the Town of Wallkill Memorial Park, that not only honors those killed in action, but all men and women who have proudly served. 

Mr. Cody continues to serve by helping raise money to purchase trailers that are taken from event to event as mobile museums. One is dedicated to 9/11 and the other serves as a Veterans’ Information Center. Mr. Cody is currently working on creating another, dedicated to those who served. 

Michael P. Cody Jr. fought bravely in Vietnam, and continued to fight for his fellow veterans upon his return. As such, he deserves recognition for his valiant efforts in protecting our country and its citizens – a legacy which he continues through his selfless and generous actions today.