A retired 93-year old Marine veteran of World War II and Korea is Dauphin County's first ‘Hero of the Month’. The recipient went on to manage a state hospital.
State Representative Ron Marsico, veterans and law enforcement officials developed the ‘Hero of the Month’ program. The goal is to increase public awareness of people and organizations who protect and serve.
Andrew Dura joined the Marine Corps when he was 19. He worked his way up the ranks, becoming a captain in only four years.
Most of those he first commanded were older than he was, a real challenge. In World War II, he went to Okinawa. He's proud of the way the Corps led the charge.
"I remember when we got rid of the Army General who was on our left flank,” commented Dura. “They were lagging behind and we were going too fast for them. So our general took over the whole command. He said were going."
The captain had a few harrowing moments during the war.
"It's around six in the evening. Sniper bullet hit the rock and the building shattered,” Dura told us. “I hit the deck and rolled because they're going to get you on the second shot. Well the next day doing recon down along the railroad tracks we were walking, ping. "How lucky could you be? Two consecutive days shot at by a sniper and he missed."
Dura retired from the Marines after a 20-year career. He returned to Pennsylvania where he became administrator of the former White Haven State Hospital.
To learn more about the program, click on the attached link!
State Representative Ron Marsico, veterans and law enforcement officials developed the ‘Hero of the Month’ program. The goal is to increase public awareness of people and organizations who protect and serve.
Andrew Dura joined the Marine Corps when he was 19. He worked his way up the ranks, becoming a captain in only four years.
Most of those he first commanded were older than he was, a real challenge. In World War II, he went to Okinawa. He's proud of the way the Corps led the charge.
"I remember when we got rid of the Army General who was on our left flank,” commented Dura. “They were lagging behind and we were going too fast for them. So our general took over the whole command. He said were going."
The captain had a few harrowing moments during the war.
"It's around six in the evening. Sniper bullet hit the rock and the building shattered,” Dura told us. “I hit the deck and rolled because they're going to get you on the second shot. Well the next day doing recon down along the railroad tracks we were walking, ping. "How lucky could you be? Two consecutive days shot at by a sniper and he missed."
Dura retired from the Marines after a 20-year career. He returned to Pennsylvania where he became administrator of the former White Haven State Hospital.
To learn more about the program, click on the attached link!