Local Purple Heart Recipient Ramon "Tony" Nadal to be Honored During National Tribute Event

Williamsburg Army Veteran Chosen as Virginia’s Representative for the 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project

(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Colonel (COL) Ramon “Tony” Nadal will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Virginia’s representative at the multi‑day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

Selected from among hundreds of nominees and deserving candidates for their courage and service, both in combat and in their communities, this annual all-expenses paid ‘Honor Flight’-style salute will bring together Purple Heart recipients from across conflicts and generations. The multi-day Patriot Project Mission, scheduled for April 27 – May 1, 2026, will feature visits to historic sites, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor; time at historic Washington’s Headquarters, where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782; and the 9/11 Memorial. Other special tribute events are also being planned.

“Tony and his fellow Patriot Project honorees represent the best of the best our country has to offer,” said Jeremy McVey, Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “These honorees represent a true cross-section of America and the diversity of our combat wounded through the decades. They answered the nation’s call and then kept on serving. This is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation, especially for our Vietnam veterans, the Patriot Project provides proper homecoming they never received.”

“These Patriot Project missions recognize the sacrifices made by our Purple Heart recipients and honor those who never made it home. They provide an invaluable opportunity for these heroes to bond with other combat wounded to help with healing, understanding and of course, know that this nation will never forget their sacrifice,” said National Purple Heart Honor Mission Executive Director Colonel Russell O. Vernon (Ret). “We received hundreds of nominations from across the country, and we look forward to honoring Tony for his courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home.”

This year’s Patriot Project honorees include men and women from all branches of military service, who sacrificed for America and then went on to be leaders in their communities and professions. 

Asked what his service meant to him, COL Nadal said, “From an early age, I wished to follow my father’s path and become an Army officer. I tried to live by Napoleon’s advice that an officer’s duty is to move to the sound of the guns, and I did so throughout my career, including volunteering three times to serve in Vietnam.”

Nadal was commissioned into the Army in June 1958 and served for twenty-two years. He served with Detachment A‑728, 7th Special Forces Group, and later as Commander of A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry and S3 of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, deploying to Vietnam three times. He fought in multiple campaigns, including the Battle of LZ X‑Ray and operations in Bong Son. He earned his Purple Heart after breaking a rib during a firefight when an ambush along a stream forced his team into combat; slipping on a rock while crossing, he fell and struck another rock, resulting in the injury.

Along with his Purple Heart, COL Nadal received the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Soldier’s Medal, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with three awards, and five Vietnam campaign ribbons. He was also Airborne, Pathfinder, Special Forces, and Ranger qualified.

Married to his wife, Gabrielle, COL Nadal is the proud father of two children, Michael and Victoria. Following his Army career, he served as Vice President of Human Resources for two major corporations. He has remained active in charitable and civic leadership, helping establish the first Junior Achievement program for high school students in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and serving on the boards of Carlisle Hospital and a local childcare center. He is currently involved with the West Point Society of Williamsburg and frequently lectures on combat leadership and the Battle of LZ X‑Ray, including engagements with U.S. and British military audiences. Nadal considers the creation of the CONARC Leadership Board and his command of A Company, 7th Cavalry among his most significant professional achievements.

The Purple Heart Patriot Project provides an all-expenses paid trip to Purple Heart recipients from across the country to visit the museum dedicated as a tribute to their service and other historic sites connected with the Purple Heart. Located just north of West Point, New York, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is housed near the site where General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The Badge, a purple cloth cut in the shape of a heart, was the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart medal. These powerful visits provide a unique opportunity for our Purple Heart veterans to connect with other recipients and experience the appreciation of a grateful nation committed to ensuring their courage and sacrifice is remembered for generations to come. Project Missions are supported by individual, foundation, and corporate donations.

In addition to creation of the museum, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp, and the organization behind the U.S. Mint’s official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin series, which was issued by the United States Mint in 2022. Today, the organization is developing the National Purple Heart Traveling Tribute and Education Center, which will tour the country bringing the stories of our heroes’ service and sacrifice to communities across the nation.

Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to sponsor the trip for our Purple Heart heroes should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.  

###

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION

The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose strategic objective is to pay tribute to our nation’s combat wounded and killed in action through special outreach and educational programming. Through Purple Heart Patriot Project Missions, celebration of National Purple Heart Day and other public events and programs, we engage people of all ages by telling the stories of our nation’s heroes. Learn more and support their efforts at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.