Vets get medals 90 years later

Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11, because it was originally “Armistice Day,” celebrating the end of the First World War on that day in 1918.
Almost 90 years later, on Thursday, October 30, three veterans of “The Great War,” along with 44 other veterans of every military campaign since, received medals from New York State at a ceremony at the Saint Albans Veterans’ facility.
This was the 15th biennial presentation ceremony organized by State Senator Serphin Maltese, who made presentations of the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, Conspicuous Service Star, Medal for Merit, Certificate for Valor and Presidential Memorial Certificates.
“I believe it is important to honor our nation’s veterans for the courageous sacrifices and valiant contributions they made to our country,” said Maltese, a Korean War veteran and former chair of the Senate Veterans Committee.
Over 125 people were present for the ceremony in the auditorium at the Saint Albans campus. City Councilmember Anthony Como; Reverend Philip T. Sica, who delivered a benediction; Mary Carey and the Christ Tabernacle Singers; and a color guard of cadets from the Junior Air Force ROTC at Franklin K. Lane High School also participated.
One Vietnam veteran, Gregory Houston of Richmond Hill, not only received the state’s Conspicuous Service Cross and Conspicuous Service Star, but also received Army medals he earned in combat as a Sergeant.
Houston received the Bronze Star with “V” device (for Valor) with an oak leaf cluster signifying a second award of the medal - a double-award of the Air Medal, and several campaign medals.
Among others receiving state medals were Franklyn Bachman of Glendale, an Air Corps Lieutenant in World War II, who holds the Distinguished Flying Cross and five awards of the Air Medal.
He also served as a New York City police officer and firefighter. Bachman received the Conspicuous Service Cross, Conspicuous Service Star and Liberty Medal.
Another World War II veteran, Women’s Army Corps technician Katherine Whaley-Husbands of Saint Albans, received a State Liberty medal. She served as a “WAC” at a military hospital.
Thomas X. Winberry of Rego Park, a Navy veteran during the Korean War received a Liberty Medal. During a 20-year career as a city police officer, he was cited over 15 times for acts of courage. Winberry is a commander in the American Legion.
Eugene Burch of Glendale, an Army Sergeant in Vietnam, received a Liberty Medal. A member of the Disabled Veterans of America, Catholic War Veterans, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burch is also an advisor to Maltese on veterans’ affairs
Another active veteran, Pat Toro of Forest Hills, president of the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, received a Liberty Medal. Toro has been instrumental in securing space for a Vietnam Memorial Park, and providing proper burials for indigent veterans.
A more recent veteran, Anthony Peralta of Maspeth, was a Marine Corporal during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He received the state’s Conspicuous Service Star and Medal for Merit.
World War I vet Louis Gallonty, who had lived in Glendale, was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross and Presidential Memorial Certificate, which was accepted by his daughter, Helen Wise.
Libby Hollander accepted a Presidential Memorial Certificate for her father, Abraham Rosenstein, who left Forest Hills to serve in the World War I Navy.
Benjamin Turkel, an Army private in World War I, was awarded a long-overdue Victory Medal and button from the Army. His son, Melvin Turkel, an Army sergeant, was awarded the Victory Medal for World War II.
The posthumous medals were accepted by Lawrence Turkel, a surviving son and brother. In all, 18 veterans were honored posthumously.
“I am happy to have the privilege of assisting in obtaining and presenting these awards to these deserving men and women,” Maltese said, conceding that for some the recognition came late.
“They have all distinguished themselves and this is a fitting tribute to their dedication, patriotism and bravery,” he said.