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Jeffrey Grosnik's quest ended on Monday afternoon.

"I've been trying for two years to get this done," said Grosnik just prior to being presented his father's World War II military medals by U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., during a Bowling Green ceremony.

Medals for U.S. Army Private First Class Otto M. Grosnik, Medical Detachment, 137th Infantry Regiment, were tracked down through efforts by his son and by Alexandra Baston, Paul's constituent service representative, who has performed two other similar investigations.

"This is a great day for my Dad. He was a hero," said Grosnik, 68, a Russellville resident. Looking on was a large contingent of family members during the ceremony in Paul's 1029 State St. office.

"We love doing these ceremonies," Paul said. "It is a great way to honor the service of your father and your family."

Otto Grosnik, who died in 2003 at the age of 86, enlisted in the U.S. Army in Johnstown, PA., Grosnik said.

His dad didn't talk about the war and didn't really care what his service record looked like, the son said prior to the event, but Grosnik began putting pieces together in a medals search after his dad died.

On Monday, Jeffrey Grosnik received the Bronze Star Medal and Bronze Star Certificate (posthumously); the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp; the Combat Medical Badge; and the Cold War Recognition Certificate. Paul also presented Grosnik with a signed copy of the U.S. Constitution.

The citation read: "For meritorious achievement in active ground combat against the enemy, effective December 13th 1944, while serving with Medical Detachment, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in support of the "Santa Fe" Division's drive through Occupied Europe. Private First Class Grosnik's exemplary performance of duty in active ground combat was in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the Army of the United States."

Family members and friends attending included Jeffrey and Karen Grosnik; Laurie Grosnik and her fiance Sean Collicott from California; Jeff Gillespie; Kristen and Terry White daughter and her family with children Davis, John Carson and Turner.

After the ceremony, during a briefing with local media in another part of Paul's Bowling Green office, Paul discussed President Donald Trump's performance since he has taken office.

"The nomination of Neil Gorsuch is something that they will be talking about 30 years from now," Paul said of the associate justice now on the Supreme Court. He said blocking President Barack Obama's appointment and reducing the confirmation vote to a simple majority vote were "bold moves" by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Paul said regulations repealed by the Trump administration that hurt the coal industry show the President "has followed through with the stuff he promised to Kentucky."

Paul also answered questions about recents events in North Korea and Syria. He said he agreed with Trump that China needs to be involved in the North Korean discussions. "Part of the answer is getting China involved," Paul said.

Paul said he doesn't want to see America get involved in the Syrian civil war. He said that the recent bombing of ISIS in Syria by the nation's largest non-nuclear bomb has changed the dynamics in the Middle East, but Paul stopped short of agreeing with other military observers that the action was more a signal to North Korea than to Syria.

Paul doesn't want to see America involved in regime change, a position he has had all long since taking office as Kentucky's junior U.S. senator.

"(Syrian President) Assad still protects two million Christians," the U.S. senator said.

Follow business reporter Charles A. Mason on Twitter @BGDNbusiness or visit bgdailynews.com.

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Son receives father's WWII medals from US Senator Rand Paul - Bowling Green Daily News