Congressman Lee Zeldin to Present Purple Heart to WWII Veteran, Frederick C. Stone, of Stony Brook
Active duty and Veteran service members and residents within the community are invited to witness the presentation of the Purple Heart to a local hero. On Sunday, January 31st, 2016 Congressman Lee Zeldin will present World War II Veteran, Frederick C. Stone, of Stony Brook, with the prestigious Purple Heart Medal on behalf of a grateful nation. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM at the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) in Farmingdale.
On April 28-29, 1945, Mr. Stone was engaged in a battle against the enemy in Okinawa, aboard the U.S.S. Butler gunship. Badly wounded, Mr. Stone helped a critically injured brother in arms to safety and returned to his gun to continue the battle. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, by Congressman Zeldin in August 2015, for this act of Valor. After reading the citation, the Congressman’s office inquired with the Navy as to his additional entitlement to the Purple Heart Medal. The Navy agreed.
Frederick C. Stone’s Bronze Star Medal Citation:
“Although wounded during action with the enemy he helped to remove a more seriously wounded man to safety and returned to his gun…”
About the Purple Heart Medal
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who are wounded or killed in action or die of wounds received in action during battle against the enemy. It is specifically a combat decoration (medal). The Purple Heart is the the oldest award still given to US Military, originally established by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. It is awarded in the name of the President of the United States. Mr. Stone will be in the company of notable Purple Heart recipients such as John McCain, John F. Kennedy, Colin Powell, Pat Tillman and Kurt Vonnegut.
Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Long Island is located at 25 Baiting Place Road, Farmingdale, NY