Islip, NY –U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representative Peter King today presented the family of Sgt. Nicholas Faraone with a Purple Heart, an Air Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, and a World War II Victory Medal on Sgt. Faraone’s behalf. Sgt. Faraone, who served as a radio operator in the United States Air Force, was killed in action over the Pacific during World War II. Sgt. Faraone’s son, grandson, and other friends and family attended the ceremony to receive the medals on his behalf.
“Sgt. Nicholas Faraone was killed over the Pacific in 1944, and now, more than seven decades later, his family can finally hold the medals that he so bravely earned in World War II,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Sgt. Faraone chose to serve our country during a time of great need, and he gave his life so that we could be free today. I am honored to present his family with these medals.”
“Sgt. Faraone put his life on the line and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. I am proud to honor his courage and present these medals to his family on the behalf of a grateful nation.” Congressman Peter King
“The sacrifices of our greatest generation should never be forgotten, and I’m grateful that Senator Gillibrand and Congressman King were able to give Sgt. Faraone and his family the official recognition that is rightfully theirs. Sgt. Faraone served at a time when the stakes couldn’t have been higher, and he fought so that others could live free,” said Supervisor Angie Carpenter
“Trying to find information about my father was like searching for one particular snowflake in a blizzard. It took me many years to make the connections that led and are still leading to information about the father that I never had the chance to know. I am grateful for the sacrifice that he made during World War II and that other veterans have made for their country in succeeding generations including the present. It brings to mind two quotes “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Thomas Jefferson and “The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission”. John F. Kennedy – Nicholas Faraone
The Purple Heart Medal was established by George Washington in 1782. It is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who are wounded or killed by an enemy action during combat. The Air Medal was established by Franklin Roosevelt during World War II and is awarded to those who distinguish themselves by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.