Nuhfer passed away last summer at the age of 94.

Congressman Glenn Thompson presented his Navy medals to his family, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Monday at the City of Warren municipal building.

Nuhfer’s son, Dan, said they were going through his father’s things and found his discharge from the Navy and initially did not know that his father had earned medals in the service. So they reached out to Congressman Thompson’s office and that led to Monday.

“What an honor to be a part of this,” Thompson said.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Congressman Glenn Thompson presented medals earned by Patrick Nuhfer to his son, Dan, Monday at the City of Warren municipal building.

Nuhfer was a recipient of the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal in addition to a button for his honorable discharge.

Thompson explained that Nuhfer and two friends hitch-hiked to Jamestown with a “strong intent” to join the Marines in early 1945. The Marine recruiter was out to lunch and, evidently, these young men were impatient so they signed on with the Navy.

According to the Warren Times Mirror, he was one of several local young men to leave for training in early Feb.

Dan Nuhfer said he recorded his father’s recollections from his time in the serve toward the end of his life.

“I’m glad I did it,” he said “We’re excited about this.”

Patrick Nuhfer

“(He was) so proud of being in the service,” Sharon, his daughter, said. “Growing up, I never heard these stories.”

After the war, Nuhfer attended college in New York City studying radio broadcasting before working at WKRZ in Oil City.

He married Ruth Grieff in 1953 and they spent nearly 65 years together, according to his obituary. He is survived by four children, Dan, Sharon, Thomas and Christine; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Thompson told the family that he also comes from a military family.

“We’re really proud of these old sailors,” he said.

Thompson said Nuhfer was also a firefighter and a painter at the Warren State Hospital, calling it a privilege “to be able to celebrate a life well-lived and service to our country.”