(Washington, DC) - U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.) today announced that Marine Corps veteran Andrew Gold, who grew-up and lived in Hollis, Queens, was posthumously awarded with the Purple Heart he earned but never received for his bravery and heroism more than 60 years ago during World War II. Ackerman—who secured the Purple Heart—presented the medal to Gold’s brother Edward, a resident of Bayside, Queens. 

Congressman Ackerman presenting posthumous Purple Heart to the late Andrew Gold, a World War II veteran from Hollis, Queens. Accepting the medal is Gold’s brother Edward, a Bayside resident.

Andrew Gold passed away in December 2002 at the age of 85. He served in the Marines as a Private First Class and was wounded in the leg during the battle of Guadalcanal, the first offensive action against the Japanese during World War II.

Although Gold was entitled to receive a Purple Heart after being injured, he never applied for one due to a busy civilian life until 10 years ago when he decided to seek it. However his pursuit was unsuccessful since his military records were destroyed during the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. After his death, his brother Edward continued the effort to secure the medal but ran into similar red tape and government bureaucracy.

Then last year in Athens, Greece, Gold by chance met Ackerman’s Chief of Staff Jedd Moskowitz while the two were separately shopping outside the same souvenir shop. After Gold mentioned his unsuccessful quest to obtain his late brother’s Purple Heart, Moskowitz told him that he worked for the Congressman and offered to help. Coincidentally, Gold was a constituent of Ackerman’s, as was his brother (before he passed away). Ackerman immediately intervened with officials at the U.S. Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. and successfully secured the medal.

Andrew Gold, born in 1917, graduated from Jamaica High School. He enlisted in the Marines in January 1942. Gold, whose leg was saved after nearly being amputated, was treated in New Caledonia and recovered the veterans hospital in St. Albans, Queens as well as a facility in California. After his recovery, he was assigned to the Brooklyn Navy Yard until he was discharged in 1944. In civilian life, Gold worked as a clothing salesman at New York area stores.

“This is something that Andrew Gold earned a long time ago” Ackerman said. “It has finally come to fruition and it’s about time. Being able to help with situations like this is one of the great things to be able to do as a member of Congress.”

“We thank you and your family for the great sacrifice your brother made for our country” Ackerman told Edward Gold.

After Andrew Gold enlisted in the Marines, his brother Edward joined in the Army, while his other brother, Jonis, served in the Navy. Andrew was the eldest among his three brothers.

The Purple Heart is a decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States to individuals wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military.  

###

Return to Gary's Homepage