Senate Resolution No. 1304

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

COMMENDING John Fratangelo upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the
highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend John
Fratangelo upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Born in the Bronx, New York on September 1, 1947, John
Fratangelo graduated from De Witt Clinton High School in 1965, and
worked as a plumber until he was drafted by the Army in 1966, completing
his basic training for both Basic and AIT at Fort Jackson, South
Carolina; and

WHEREAS, John Fratangelo proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1968; and

WHEREAS, Serving with the First Infantry Division while stationed in
Vietnam, John Fratangelo sustained gunshot wounds while retrieving five
fellow squad members who were wounded in an ambush during a patrol; and

WHEREAS, For these heroic actions which took place on October 4,
1967, John Fratangelo received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star, the
third-highest military combat decoration awarded for gallantry in
action; and

WHEREAS, This courageous man was then hospitalized for five months
following the event and eventually made Sergeant E-5 before being
discharged on November 15, 1968; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, John
Fratangelo joined the Local No. 2 Plumber's Union and went through five
years of Plumbing Apprenticeship before working in New York City for
five years; in 1977, he went on to work for General Motors in Tarrytown,
until the plant's closure in 1997; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his country,
John Fratangelo continues to give tirelessly of his time and energies to
several veteran organizations; he currently serves as the Junior Vice
Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 21 of
Westchester and Putnam Counties and is also a member of the Disabled

American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Vietnam Veterans of
America, the American Legion and Together We Served; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, John Fratangelo recently published a book he
began writing in 1970 titled, The Last Goodbye, which is a candid
first-hand account of his service in the Vietnam War, and a deeply
personal account of the challenges he faced upon his return to civilian
life; the book is dedicated to his cousin Tony who died in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
John Fratangelo demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend John Fratangelo upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to John Fratangelo.