World War II Honoree

Osceola "Ozzie" Fletcher

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

New York, New York

Honored By

Don Kilburg Jr.

Relationship

Friend

Assigned to the 254th Port Battalion, he was involved in supplier and equipment movement. Shortly after the assault on Normandy Beach on D-Day, he was in the back of a vehicle delivering supplies to the Allied troops on the coast of France when he and his fellow service members were hit by a German ballistic missile. The driver was killed and he received a large gash on his head. Because of his race, he was not considered for a Purple Heart. 77 years after the fact and at the age of 99 he received his Purple Heart from the hands of US Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville in a ceremony at Fort Hamilton NY. General McConville said at the event: "Today, we pay long overdue tribute for the sacrifices he made to our nation and for free people everywhere."