CRANSTON, RI – On January 16, 1943, Henry Ambrose Maynard of Pawtucket left his job with the New Haven Railroad and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force. Sergeant Maynard served as a radio mechanic for the 93rd Bombardment Squadron in the Pacific during World War II.

Sgt. Maynard joined his two older brothers – Vincent and Raymond – who were also serving overseas in the U.S. military during the war. He received training as a radio mechanic at the Capitol Radio Engineering Institute in Washington, DC and received top marks from his instructors. During the war, radio mechanics were responsible for ensuring vital communication lines remained open in extremely difficult conditions and were absolutely crucial for aircraft in order to navigate, coordinate, and communicate.

Upon returning home from the war, Maynard capitalized on his training as a radio mechanic to launch a lengthy and successful career as an electrical engineer at Miller Electric in Woonsocket. Soon after Mr. Maynard returned home, he met Lucille Prefontaine. They married and brought up their daughters Donna, Linda, Pamela, and Lauren in the Darlington section of Pawtucket.

Mr. Maynard passed away in 1998.

Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed held a special medal ceremony for Sgt. Maynard’s family to celebrate his service and present them with several military honors that Sgt. Maynard earned in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II and should have obtained for his service.

“Our state and nation are grateful to Henry Ambrose Maynard for his profound commitment to duty and service. It is my honor to recognize Sgt. Maynard and his brothers for their distinguished service during World War II. Like so many of their generation, they put their lives on hold and risked everything in order to stand a post for freedom and save the world from the forces of evil,” said Senator Reed. “We offer our heartfelt thanks to Sgt. Maynard and his fellow servicemembers for the sacrifices they made. Sgt. Maynard did not seek out accolades for his service in the military, but he certainly earned them, and it is never too late to present them, salute his service, and keep his memory alive This is a long overdue tribute to an outstanding hometown hero.”

During today’s special medal ceremony, Senator Reed presented Mr. Maynard’s family with the following military awards in recognition of his exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity while serving in the U.S. Army:

• Good Conduct Medal;

• American Campaign Medal;

• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal;

• World War II Victory Medal, and;

• Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar.

A Good Conduct Medal is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active federal military service

“The entire Maynard family, especially Henry’s four daughters, would like to thank Senator Reed and his staff for their timely and thorough assistance in locating and receiving these military honors. This information has brought our dad back to us in a very meaningful way,” said the Maynard Family.