Sebastian D’Agostino

Sebastian D’Agostino was born in Flushing on September 20, 1938. As a teen, he worked as a laborer building the Throgs Neck Bridges before requesting to be drafted into the United States Army in December of 1958. He completed his basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and then an advanced training program to become a Supply Specialist at Fort Lee, Virginia.

Mr. D’Agostino deployed to South Korea for a 13-month tour in 1959. As a Private First Class in the First Army Quartermaster Corps, he served as second in command of the company’s supply room. Equipped with a commercial driver’s license, he could drive a number of Army vehicles and often transported supplies around South Korea.

While stationed in South Korea, he participated in self-defense classes and then earned his black belt in Judo. He loved to travel all over South Korea taking photographs, a hobby that almost started an international incident when he was stopped by North Korean guards photographing along the D.M.Z.

He returned to Fort Dix in 1960 with the rank of Specialist 4th Class and helped train-incoming soldiers. Due to his love of weaponry, his Captain assigned him to the Company Armorer where he was in charge of repairing all weapons.

As his active duty service has coming to an end, Mr. D’Agostino declined a promotion to Sergeant (E5) and instead chose to enroll in business courses at Queens College. He served Active and Stand-by Reserves until his Honorable Discharge in 1964. That same year, he married Rose Petrillo. Together, they have four children and eight grandchildren.

Mr. D’Agostino continues to serve his community in a number of roles. He is the Commander and Property Manager of American Legion Post #103 as well as the Vice Commander of the Queens County American Legion. He is the Vice President and Co-Chairmen of the Bayside Hills Civic Association, and serves as the custodian of the World War II Memorial on Bell Boulevard. He is the President and CEO of D’Agostino Property and Development, LLC.