Retired Army Col. Washington Sanchez will be the state’s representative at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded, a press release from the National Purple Heart Honor Mission says.
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In November 1965, then-Lieutenant Sanchez was wounded while serving as a Forward Observer with an Airmobile Company of the 1st Cavalry Division. Pinned down by the enemy he was shot twice but continued performing his mission coordinating helicopter, fixed wing, and artillery strikes against North Vietnamese forces.
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An Orange County hotel operator and long-time supporter of veterans causes has stepped up with a major donation to help pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of heroes who will be recognized as part of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project.
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U.S. Army Specialist Edward Gerasimowicz, of Mercerville, who served in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart, will take part in a multi-day honor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s Headquarters and the newly renovated National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, according to organizers.
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Calvin Chambers enlisted in the Army in August 1969. While deployed to Vietnam, SPC Chambers was stationed at FSB Buttons and spent time in Cambodia. On May 25, 1970, Chambers unit had just been resupplied and the platoon was directed to take the perimeter around the top of the hill. Chambers was walking right point (lead) when the platoon walked into an ambush halfway up the hill. The ensuing firefight took the lives of Chambers’ squad leader and left point man, and left Chambers wounded.
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U.S. Army Capt. Leonard Crosby of Post Falls, a Vietnam War veteran, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Idaho’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.
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Mr. Tanaka was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1950 and was assigned to the 24th Division, 19th Regiment. In October 1951, PFC Tanaka was wounded-in-action by a North Korean mortar in Kumsong, North Korea. Along with his Purple Heart, PFC Tanaka was awarded the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, and the United Nations Service medal.
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A man from Mercerville will represent New Jersey's Purple Heart veterans at the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Mission.
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Martin Milano, the owner of the Hampton Inn Hotel Woodbury and the Hampton Inn & Suites Newburgh, has pledged the necessary hotel rooms for visiting Purple Heart recipients and their guests from across America. The donation is valued at nearly $50,000.
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On September 6, 1969, SPC Gerasimowicz had finished patrolling with his dog and was in camp when the warning sirens sounded and “Rockets in the air” blared out. As he was running for a bunker, a devastating explosion hit the base, launching Gerasimowicz into the air. When he recovered, he grabbed the unconscious soldier next to him and moved on to the bunker.
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Leonard Crosby was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1964, serving until 1970. During the Vietnam War, Crosby served two tours of duty, the first as a Platoon Leader with the 4th Infantry Division and the second as a Company Commander with the 101st Airborne Division. His service included action during Operation MacArthur, the Tet Offensive, Operation Nevada Eagle, and more. In April 1968, then-1Lt Crosby was wounded by shrapnel from an enemy mortar round. Later, Crosby would be shot in the neck by an enemy sniper. Along with his Purple Heart, CPT Crosby received numerous awards and commendations, including a Silver Star, two Bronze Star Medals, the Soldier’s Medal and more.
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A twenty-three-year veteran of U.S. Army, Zerger enlisted in November 1965 and served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. In April 1971, while stationed in the A Shau Valley, Zerger was wounded during an enemy ambush. In addition to his Purple Heart, SFC Zerger received numerous commendations and awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and more.
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HARWINTON – More than five decades after serving in Vietnam, Retired Army Staff Sgt. Robert Sodergren said he feels like he is being welcomed home.
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Army Staff Sgt. Robert Sodergren, a Harwinton local, was named the Purple Heart Patriot Project’s Connecticut representative and is being honored by the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor at West Point.
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A bill to honor the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor with a commemorative coin awaits the president’s signature.
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WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has advanced Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney’s (D, NY-18) bill, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act with unanimous support. The bill now awaits the president’s signature to become law.
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A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Robert Sodergren of Harwinton, a Vietnam War veteran, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Connecticut’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of American’s combat wounded.
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Washington, D.C. – Tonight, the House advanced Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney’s (NY-18) bill, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act with unanimous support. The bill now awaits the President’s signature to become law.
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Sodergren served on active duty for three years, from 1965 to 1968, including time with the 101st Airborne Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. During Operation Junction City, SSG Sodergren was on a recon patrol when he was ambushed. During the attack, Sodergren suffered a shrapnel wound to the head. In addition to his Purple Heart, Mr. Sodergren received numerous commendations and awards, including the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Commendation Medal and more. After being discharged, he started his own contracting business. Robert and his wife, Maureen, have three children and six grandchildren.
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A twenty-year veteran of the U.S. Army, former CSM Evans enlisted in September 1948. His career took him across the country and around the world. Evans earned his Purple Heart during his tour of duty in Korea in September 1950, when then-SGT Evans was acting as a Forward Observer with G-Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Evans and his unit came under mortar fire. When the shelling stopped the men started advancing. When a new round of shelling started, a mortar landed right behind him in his foxhole. Evans was evacuated to a Tokyo, Japan, hospital.
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