Eight on Seven

Purple Heart Day

8.7.2017

On August 7th, in recognition of Purple Heart Day, Purple Hearts Reunited will host an unprecedented event at 5:15 p.m at Federal Hall. 8 Purple Hearts from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq will be reunited with the Veteran or the Veteran’s family. This special event would not be possible without the support of local Veteran Service Organizations. Special thanks to the United War Veterans Council, the Daughters of the American Revolution based in New York City, the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York and the New York City Fire Department. Special thanks to our sponsors – Bank of America, BNY Mellon, First Data, Unite US, Donna and Remo Pizzagalli, Joshua G. Parker, 14th Star Brewery, Heroes Vodka, Sword & Plough, Vineyard Vines, Grunt Style, Select Design and Union Street Media. *The ceremony is free to the public and open to the media.

A fundraising benefit will be held directly following the ceremony at Fraunces Tavern Museum ® (54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004) where members of the community will be able to meet the recipients of the Purple Hearts, hear about the mission of Purple Hearts Reunited, and support the safe journey home of several Purple Hearts that will be on display.The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50. The ticket covers appetizers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets are on sale now! Space is limited. If you are interested in attending, please contact Sarah Corry via email: [email protected] or by phone: 802-734-7715 to purchase your tickets. You may also purchase tickets online by clicking here. Please write “Eight on Seven” in the “in honor of space”. You will not receive a physical ticket. Your name will be on a list at the reception. The downstairs tavern will be open to the general public and non-tickets holders.

Sponsor Event When & Where

Federal Hall (Ceremony)
August 7, 2017 – 5:15 pm
26 Wall St, New York, NY 10005

Fraunces Tavern Museum ® (Reception)
August 7, 2017 – 6:30 pm
54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004

The Stories

WWI, Private Frank Lyman Dunnell Jr

Frank was born 21 December 1892 in Buffalo, New York and later enlisted for service in World War I on 27 July 1917. Assigned as an Infantryman with Fox Company, 107th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, Frank was wounded on 02 October 1918 as his unit encountered fierce resistance and heavy fighting during the Somme Offensive, which was the allied forces attempt to pierce the German’s Hindenburg defensive line. His medal was discovered at the Bank of New York many years ago and will be returned to his Great-Niece, Mrs. Carlson of Burlington, Vermont.


WWII, Sergeant George W. Roles

George was born 10 April 1921 to George G. and Vera A. Meade Roles in Edna, Kansas. He later enlisted for service in the U.S. Army on 08 September 1942 and was assigned to the 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. On 14 July 1944, his unit receive orders to attack the town of St. Lo, France. The Germans showed stubborn resistance and a thorough knowledge of defensive tactics, repeated enemy counter-attacks throughout the battle. It was during this intense fighting that SGT Roles lost his life the next day on 15 July. George was survived by his wife Pauline Freeman and a 2-month-old son, George Nicholas, whom he had never seen. His medal was recently discovered in a home in California and will be returned to his son, Mr. Nick Geasland of San Diego, CA


WWII, 1st Lieutenant Brian Woolley Flavelle

Brian was born in 1914 in Essex County, New Jersey. After receiving a degree and commission from the University of Oregon, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Corps on 14 July 1941. Trained as a B-24 Bomber Pilot, he was assigned to the 512th Bomber Group, 376th Bomber Group (Heavy). On 01 August 1943, Brian and his crew of the “Wongo Wongo” were tasked to participate in one of the most daring raids of World War II, Operation Tidal Wave. The mission was the costliest in Air Force history and was the second worst loss ever suffered by the Air Force on a single mission, now referred to as “Black Sunday”. His medal was recently discovered in Oregon and will returned to his two nephews, Ande & Brian Flavelle of Caldwell, NJ and Watsonville, CA. Read the Rest of Brian’s Story Here


WWII, Staff Sergeant Bernard Eldon Snow

Bernard was born 07 March 1924 in Santa Barbara, California to Beverly Bernard and Violet Lee Twitchell Snow. He later enlisted into the U.S. Army Air Corps on 06 October 1942 and served as a B-17 Ball Turret Gunner with the 366th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group. On 14 October 1943, his B-17 (#42-3549) nick-named “Mr. Jones”, was shot down by a German fighter near Hoorn, Holland. He would spend the rest of the war in the German Prisoner of War Camp Stalag 17-B. His Purple Heart was discovered in a Jewelry shop in California and will be reunited with his Daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Crofts from Superior, Wisconsin.


WWII, Private Dan Lyle Feragen

Dan was born 07 October 1921 in Carlyle, Montana to Johannes A. and Caroline Hartse Feragen. He would later enlist into the U.S. Army on 18 January 1941 and was assigned to Service Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. While fighting in the Philippines, his entire unit was captured and force marched over 60 miles in over 110 degree heat with no food or water to Prisoner of War Camp O’Donnell, which is now known as the Bataan Death March. Dan would survive the march, but due to mistreatment at the hands of his captures, he died inside the camp on 17 June 1942. He was buried in an un-marked grave and later identified in 1948. Unfortunately, his parents died previously and never knew their son was found. Because of this, a Purple Heart was never issued to his family. Receiving his medal for the first time will be his nephew and namesake, Mr. Lyle Feragen.


Korea, PFC Jack Carl Kighlinger

Jack was born on 02 August 1928 in Franklin, Pennsylvania. He later enlisted for service in the United States Marine Corps on 16 July 1950 and served with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. While fighting near the Soyang River in South Korea, he was killed in action on 29 May 1951. His medal was found in the 1970s by U.S. Army Veteran Staff Sergeant Kevin Coady. He has been searching for the family ever since and will return Jack’s medal to his great-niece, Mrs. Bernadine Ridgeway of Marysville, California.


Vietnam, PFC Andrew Thomas Calhoun

Andrew was born 02 August 1948 and enlisted into the U.S. Army on 14 September 1966. Assigned as an Infantryman with 3rd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Division in Vietnam, Andrew was wounded in action on 16 March 1968. After the war, he worked as a Chesapeake Police Officer in the SWAT division and was unfortunately killed on duty when his aircraft crashed into a lake. His medals were recently discovered in Arizona and will be returned to his Son, Mr. Calhoun of Chesapeake, Virginia.


Iraq, Daniel Swift

On November 29, 2004, an armored Humvee carrying FDNY member Chris Engledrum; Specialist Wilfred Urbina, also a firefighter; another FDNY member, Daniel Swift of Ladder 43; and three other soldiers was hit by an improvised explosive device. Chris and Wilfred were killed. As a Combat Medic with Company A of the 69 th Infantry Regiment, Daniel quickly rushed to save the life of one of his fellow comrades also injured in the incident. For his heroics, he was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart. He will be honored at the ceremony and presented with a full set of his medal to symbolize his service to our country.