Rep. Zeldin Presents Purple Heart Award to WWII Veteran

Farmingdale, NY – On Sunday, January 31, 2016, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) presented World War II Veteran, Frederick C. Stone, of Stony Brook, New York, with the prestigious Purple Heart Medal.

The Purple Heart Medal was established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, in 1782, during the Revolutionary War. It was re-established by the President of the United States per War Department General Orders in 1932. The Purple Heart is limited to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving our country, were wounded, killed, or have since died due to wounds received during battle. It is awarded in the name of the President of the United States.

In August of 2015, Congressman Zeldin presented Mr. Stone with the Bronze Star Medal. On April 28-29, 1945, while overseas aboard the U.S.S. Butler gunship in Okinawa, Mr. Stone was engaged in a battle with the enemy, in which he was wounded. Mr. Stone’s Bronze Star Medal citation specifically states, “Although wounded during action with the enemy he helped to remove a more seriously wounded man to safety and returned to his gun…” Based upon this citation, the Congressman’s office inquired with the Navy as to his additional entitlement to the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy agreed.

On Sunday, January 31, 2016, Mr. Stone received the Purple Heart award on behalf of a grateful nation.

Pictured above, from left to right, are Navy Commander Dom Pastorin, Commanding Officer of NOSC Long Island, Mr. Stone and Congressman Zeldin.