By Franci Valenzano Public Relations Associate
(Morrisville, NY – Nov. 11, 2014) Owen Corpin pulled a dark black jacket from the back of a bedroom closet. He lightly dusted off the shoulders and six gold buttons with his hand before straightening the rows of military ribbons above the left pocket.
“It’s been years since I’ve worn it,” Corpin said as he held the jacket of his Navy Blues. “It almost fits all of these years later,” he uttered with a grin that turned bigger as he slipped his arms into the sleeves.
Two decades later, Corpin’s Navy service uniform isn’t all that has withstood the test of time. His memories have too.
In an office decorated with military posters, photos and memoirs, Corpin recites stories from his military days as though they happened yesterday. And every year as Veterans Day approaches, they grow more nostalgic for the 62-year-old retired Navy commander who spent 24 years serving his country.
This year Veterans Day took on even more significance as Corpin, of Peterboro, received two medals during a Veterans Day celebration at Morrisville State where he has worked for the past 12 years.
The ceremony also recognized audience members with military service, who received “Acknowledgement of Service” certificates from MSC.
During the program, Corpin was presented a New York State Conspicuous Service Star, for honorable service during times of hostilities, and a New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, for honorable service. The awards will join a shadow box at home that holds a flag he received upon retiring, ribbon ranks, a list of duty stations and other cherished military keepsakes. He also received certificates of appreciation from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s offices.
The awards, coming 20 years later, are a surprise for Corpin, who learned about them after applying for copies of medals lost in a 2013 flood in Oneida.
“This is indeed an honor,” he said after he was presented the medals by Morrisville State President Dr. William Murabito. “I accept these on behalf of all of those who have served. It means a lot to anyone who has served to be recognized for their service and sacrifices.”
Corpin joined the United States Navy in 1970, shortly after he graduated from Morrisville-Eaton Central School and just after his 18th birthday.
The son of a World War II veteran and the second of four boys, Corpin set his sights on joining the military when he was in seventh grade and later passed up an opportunity to attend Cornell University on a full scholarship.
A Trident Scholar in the U.S. Naval Academy, who was fascinated with World War II and submarines, he spent the next 24 years serving primarily as an aviator and radar intercept officer flying F-4 fighters. It was a career that took him all over the world, including Japan.
During his service, Corpin was a handler on the USS John F. Kennedy, the last conventionally powered carrier built for the Navy. His carrier was awarded both a Battle E Award for effectiveness in military operations and a Safety S Award, for having the fewest accidents and injuries. It was the only carrier to get both awards in the same year.
Among his memorable moments are shaking hands with former President Richard Nixon at the U.S. Naval Academy graduation and former President George H.W. Bush in 1989 when he visited the aircraft carrier.
While momentous, Corpin’s military career was not without sacrifices too. “I remember coming home after one of my long deployments and I had been gone so long that the next time I saw my infant son, he was walking,” he said.
Following his retirement from the Navy, Corpin did substitute teaching in area schools before finding a niche in higher education. He worked in the admissions office at Mohawk Valley Community College prior to Morrisville State where he is now an Equal Opportunity Program (EOP) advisor working one-on-one with students and helping to guide them through their career plans.
It’s a role that reaps a different kind of honor.
“It is so rewarding when I see one of the students I have helped cross the stage and graduate,” he said.
His heart still planted firmly in his military roots, Corpin is active in his community planning services for fellow veterans on military holidays and other occasions.
“For some reason I don’t really see myself as a veteran,” he said. “I look back and ask, when did all of these years pass since I served, to be considered a veteran? I guess I am too busy doing this for the other guys.”
Some of his other activities include participating in Watch Night, a celebration that he and other members of the Abolition Hall of Fame started in 2012 to mark the significance of Dec. 31 for freedom fighters. Along with Watch Night is a Watch Fire, a military tradition where fires were meant to lead lost soldiers back to their camps.
“I had a marvelous military career. I got to change policies, to shake hands with presidents and meet secretaries-of-state. It was all rewarding—and now this,” Corpin said looking admirably at the two new medals he clasped in his hand.