Tedisco Inducts Waterford Vietnam War U.S. Navy Veteran Who Was Part of John McCain’s Flight Crew into NYS Senate Veterans Hall of Fame

Albany, NY--Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) today inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame, Vietnam War veteran Bert Mahoney of Waterford at a ceremony at the state Capitol in Albany, NY. Mahoney is one of 63 members of the 2025 class of inductees into the Veterans Hall of Fame, representing each of the state’s 63 Senate Districts.  

“Bert Mahoney is a true patriot who served our country with honor and courage and then came home and continued to serve his community as a firefighter and public servant.  The Vietnam War was not a popular conflict at the time and those that served did not get the parades, thanks and grateful recognition they and all veterans who serve honorably deserve. The heartfelt recognition for the service of all those who fought in Vietnam, like Bert Mahoney, is long overdue,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

US Navy Petty Officer Second Class AE-2 Bert Mahoney of Waterford, NY served in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1968 during three combat tours in the Vietnam War, working in aircraft maintenance as an Aircraft Electrical Inspector.

Bert was assigned to VA-163 on board the aircraft carrier, USS Oriskany. Mahoney served in support of Navy pilot, then-Lt. Commander John McCain who was shot down over North Vietnam.

Between 1965 and 1968 during its deployments to Vietnam, the Oriskany lost 71 aircraft and 79 service members, a shockingly high number by modern carrier aviation standards. While Mahoney was onboard, the Oriskany experienced a horrible at-sea fire in October 1966, which claimed the lives of 44 sailors.

Mahoney was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Navy Unit Commendation Medal with one Bronze Star, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device.

Mahoney was trained at the U.S. Navy Aviation Electrician Mates School, numerous aircraft technical schools as well as the U.S. Armed Forces Institute. He went to Hudson Valley Community College for electrical technology and SUNY Albany for fire service management.

After his military service, Mahoney was employed by GE Silicone Products for 32 years retiring as a project engineer/electrical instrumentation supervisor.

He has been very active in the Waterford community serving since 1968 as a member, captain, assistant chief and chief of the Waterford Fire Department.  Bert has served as the Mayor of the Village of Waterford, NY since 1998. He is Past Commander of the Waterford Memorial Post 5800 VFW and member of the American Legion Post 235, Waterford Knights of Columbus, and Cohoes/Waterford Elks.

Bert Mahoney has been married for 57 years to Margie “Mike” Mahoney. They have two boys, Bert and Russell, and five grandchildren. 

Pictured with Tedisco and Mahoney is Past NYS Senate Hall of Fame inductee and Saratoga County Veterans Services Agency Director and Waterford Councilman Frank McClement, along with Mahoney’s wife Margie “Mike” Mahoney, son Russell and grandson Keegan.