Viet Nam Veteran General Fred Mahaffey Honored with Bronze Statue and Hall of Fame Induction

    CARLSBAD, NM, May 31, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- General Fred K. Mahaffey is remembered in Carlsbad, New Mexico, as a high-school football and track star whose extraordinary life led him to become a four-star Army general. A monumental-scale bronze statue of General Mahaffey will be unveiled at 10 A.M., July 7, at 400 Cascades Avenue. At 3 P.M., the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center will induct General Mahaffey into Carlsbad's Hall of Fame.

Bob Forrest, Carlsbad's former mayor, commissioned the bronze statue as a reminder of Mahaffey's uniquely important service to his country. Mahaffey had a Viet Nam era career. He served two tours of duty and was awarded three Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Bronze Stars for valor in combat, a Distinguished Service Medal (the Army's highest non-combat award) and four Legions of Merit for exemplary service.

Sculptor Wren Prather-Stroud was commissioned to research Mahaffey's life and create the bronze statue. Stroud's research led to contributions from sources across the nation, including the National Military Archive and Mahaffey's four daughters. Photos and artifacts from these sources will be featured in Carlsbad's new Hall of Fame, a space dedicated to honoring the city's most memorable citizens.

Creative Carlsbad Arts Council is devoted to supporting and strengthening community wide arts and culture organizations to ensure quality arts experiences for Carlsbad and surrounding areas.

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