Community Corner

Southington Man Honored For 'Decades of Excellence'

After waiting for more than 25 years, Lloyd Sherwood received the Good Conduct Medal.


It took over 25 years, but local resident Lloyd Sherwood finally received the one recognition he’s wanted for his more than three decades of service with the U.S. Army and Army Reserves.

Sherwood was all smiles as he stood before a crowd of about 75 residents, staff members and friends at on Hobart Street Monday afternoon, the latest recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, an award he should have received in 1985.

“When I finished my career, I was discharged from a military hospital and couldn’t be given the award there,” Sherwood said. “I always wondered why I never received it. It’s a great feeling to be given this recognition after so many years.”

The Orchard’s resident, who lives at the assisted living home with his wife Jackie Sherwood, certainly built up a resume worthy of the honor. Sherwood joined the Army Reserves in 1948, then just a junior in high school who said he was looking for a way to become more disciplined. The Army helped him with his education and in 1951 he moved from the reserves to full active duty as a member of the D Battery, 514th AAA Battalion out of Massachusetts.

During the 1950s, Sherwood would serve in the Korean War, spending more than a year overseas, and was discharged from active duty in 1955.

“It taught me a lot and I never thought twice about it while I was serving. It was something I though I had to do,” he said. “It wasn’t until I got home that I realized I didn’t have to be there.”

He didn’t rest for long, however, joining the Massachusetts National Guard where he served as a military policeman, taking on a wide variety of tasks which included assisting in the integration of blacks into the Massachusetts public school system – he helped bus the students to ensure their safety – and responding to excessive damage caused during the blizzard of 1978.

“This award was something he’s earned and it’s fantastic that he is able to realize that now,” said Sherwood’s stepson Scott Close. “He has a great history. I’m just excited to see it being recognized.”

Despite the stories he has, Jackie Sherwood said her husband does not often share many details of his experiences. She said he has always been humble about his service and has expressed many times that it was something he was compelled to do.

Although it took a while to get Sherwood the award, Congressman John Larson said it was well earned and is one of many that Sherwood has been recognized for over the years.

Sherwood has won numerous recognitions, including the following:

  • Army Service Ribbon
  • Humanitarian Service Ribbon
  • Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars
  • United Nations Service Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Combat Infantry Badge
  • Bronze Star Medal
  • Army National Guard Recruiter Badge
  • Massachusetts Five-Year Service Medal with Silver Star
  • Massachusetts Emergency Service Ribbon
  • Massachusetts Service Medal
  • Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal
  • Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon

Moving forward, Larson said he hopes that Sherwood and others like him will continue to share their stories and help keep accurate historical accounts alive.

“These individual stories are so important historically to our nation,” Larson said. “These are stories that need to be told so we don’t forget what happened and the tremendous contributions that these generations have made.”


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