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Congressman Peter King honors local decorated veteran
The 83-year old Speck and his proud family attended the ceremony on October 12 in which he was presented a Distinguished Flying Cross Medal by the congressman, who said he's "glad his office could provide such recognition." Although Mr. Speck had received the medal in 1997, it was never presented, as he didn't think it was necessary at the time. "I realize now it's nice for my family to witness," said Speck, beaming proudly and holding a case full of medals and memorabilia. In 1941, Speck's father signed papers to allow his son to join the U.S. Navy at 17 to get him out of his neighborhood which is now known as Spanish Harlem. During World War II he served in Chicago, Florida, California and Whidbey Island in Washington where he learned to fly a Lockheed Ventura. He became an Aviation Mechanic Plane Captain in crew #13 and flew many missions in and around Hawaii and Iwo Jima. After completing his share of missions and flying many different military planes, he was assigned an Army B17, which was stripped down from Army brown to navy blue. Mr. Speck became the captain of that plane which was used personally for the Base Commander. In fact, a copy of a press release dated May 1945 from the Long Island Press said he was awarded for completing more than 60 missions with his search and reconnaissance unit in the Pacific Theater. After the war ended on September 2, and he was discharged on December 5, 1945 he came home to New York. During the next few years Mr. Speck said he was surprised and pleased when medals started arriving via the U.S. Postal service. There was the Air Medal and the Flying Cross and later, after inquiring about his records, the Asiatic Campaign, World War II Victory medal, American Campaign and Conspicuous Services N.Y. State Nation Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals arrived. After a year of courtship, Mr. Speck settled down with Dorothy Higgins and six years after that they moved to Massapequa and never moved again. He's lived on Chicago Avenue for 52 years and raised three children, Michael, Steven and Debbie. The Speck's celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in June of 1999. In addition to his military service, Mr. Speck worked as taxi driver in the city, worked in Western Electric, New York Fire Patrol, drove trailers for A&P and trucks for the Esso Oil Company, and held many other jobs before retiring from Mobil Oil Corporation in 1986. After 45 years he's still active with the Massapequa Fire Department, is a lifetime member of the VFW and the Knights of Columbus. "Its nice to be recognized for the war, especially since a film (about us) just came out...it brings back all of my memories. I often think of all the men that served with me that aren't here today," said Speck who said there are about 30 men left of the 140 that served directly with him.
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