Mansfield Residents Heroes

The Township Committee honored Mansfield residents for valorous efforts at their Dec. 28 meeting. Mayor Dick Appleby commended Robert Joseph Yurkanin III for his service to his country. Morgan Friedman, an eight-year old Mansfield resident, was recognized for saving his father’s life by Committeewoman Cate Oakley. Friedman woke his sleeping father during a fire at his apartment complex. Using skills learned in the Boy Scouts he saved his father from what turned out to be a fatal fire.
Yurkanin attended the Mansfield Elementary School, graduated from Warren Hills Regional High School and the Warren County Community College.
On January 16, 2000, he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army, attending basic training and Airborne School. He was attached to Alpha Company 1/26 Infantry.
Having served in Kosovo from July to November he was subsequently assigned to Iraq in February, 2004 he served there until February 2005. During his service in Iraq he received the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.
In addition to the Purple Heart he has been awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the valorous unit award, the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge/, Expert Infantry Badge, Air Assault Badge, Airborne Badge, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal and the Expeditionary Medal.