U.S. Navy veteran John Wells served his country honorably and then worked to right wrongs after his decades of service. Now, he is getting his flowers.
On Friday, March 20, Cdr. Wells (Ret.) was awarded the prestigious DAR Medal of Honor by the Louisiana Society of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) during its 117th state conference held in Alexandria, La.
Wells was nominated by the Wharton Chapter and formally recognized by Bobbi Foster, national vice chairman of the President General’s Project Committee, during the award presentation last week.
"I am honored to accept this award on behalf of all the volunteers at Military-Veterans Advocacy—from the Blue Water Navy to the Procopio case, and the hundreds of thousands of veterans covered by the PACT Act,” Wells told Military.com after receiving the recognition.
We are proud to help bring long-overdue relief to those who have waited far too long for the benefits they earned.
He referenced the landmark 2019 federal circuit court case, Procopio v. Wilkie (2019), which ruled that Blue Water Navy Vietnam veterans who served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam were entitled to exposure of Agent Orange.
It stemmed from Navy veteran Alfred Procopio Jr. being denied service for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus—two illnesses listed among the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) 14 presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange.
Wells helped litigate that case, which helped secure benefits for approximately 90,000 Blue Water Navy veterans who had previously been denied care. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, granted VA disability benefits to U.S. veterans who served up to 12 nautical miles offshore Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.
The DAR Medal of Honor, among the organization’s highest distinctions, was established in 1942 and recognizes individuals whose leadership, patriotism and dedication to service have made lasting contributions to the nation.
Wells Portrays 'The Ideals of Patriotism'
Wells’ Navy tenure was a distinguished one.
He served more than two decades as a commissioned naval officer, completing operational deployments across the Mediterranean, Western Pacific, North Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. The DAR described his military career as one “marked by integrity, principled leadership, and an unwavering commitment to mission.”
But one could argue that it was his post-service efforts that made an even bigger difference in the lives of countless servicemembers and veterans.
After he retired, Wells earned his Juris Doctor and became a legal advocate who helped others—often through pro bono work. The attorney focused efforts on issues including access to earned benefits, toxic exposure claims, and systemic challenges within the VA.
He is the founder and executive director of Military-Veterans Advocacy, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing legal advocacy, education and policy engagement on veterans’ and active-duty members’ behalf.
Such efforts, accomplished through federal litigation, legislative advocacy and policy work, have helped expand healthcare access for veterans affected by toxic exposures, including Agent Orange and burn pits.
Beyond his work as an attorney, Wells has also contributed to veterans’ treatment court programs that in turn have helped justice-involved veterans rebuild their lives and successfully reintegrate into their communities.
“Cdr. Wells’ lifetime of service truly reflects the ideals of leadership, patriotism and dedication that this medal represents,” Bobbi Foster said in a statement. “His unwavering commitment—both in uniform and beyond—has made a lasting impact on veterans and their families across our nation.”
