Senator Serphin R. Maltese hosted the 15th New York State Veterans Awards Presentation Ceremony for Queens-area Veterans who were presented with the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, the New York State Conspicuous Service Star, the New York State Medal for Merit, the New York State Certificate for Valor and the Presidential Memorial Certificate. He was joined by City Councilman Anthony Como.

"I believe it is important to honor our nation’s veterans for the courageous sacrifices and valiant contributions they made to our country," said Senator Maltese, a Korean War Veteran and former Chairman of the Senate Veterans Committee. "I am happy to have the privilege of assisting in obtaining and presenting these awards to these deserving men and women. They have all distinguished themselves and this is a fitting tribute to their dedication, patriotism and bravery."

Over 125 people were present for the ceremony at the St. Albans VA Campus Auditorium. Reverend Philip T. Sica, Mary Carey and the Christ Tabernacle Singers, the Junior Air Force ROTC at Franklin K. Lane High School also participated in the ceremony.

Veterans who were honored at the ceremony include:

Franklyn Bachman - of Glendale, NY was a First Lieutenant with the United States Air Corps during World War II. He has also been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Unit Citation together with other Military Medals. He will be receiving the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the New York State Conspicuous Service Star.

Joseph W. Carl, Sr. - of Richmond Hill, NY (posthumous) was a Private First Class with the Headquarters & Service Company 1897th Engineer Battalion during World War II. He has also been awarded the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon with 1 Star together with other Military Medals. His sons, Joseph W. Carl, Jr. and Richard Carl will be accepting the New York State Medal for Merit and the Cold War Recognition Certificate on his behalf.

Vincent J. Cavalluzzi - of Flushing, NY was a Private First Class with the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He has also been awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit and the Cold War Recognition Certificate.

Rubin Cohen - of Ozone Park, NY (posthumous) was an Airman First Class with the United States Air Force. His son, Robert B. Cohen will be accepting the Presidential Memorial Certificate on his behalf.

Albert P. Dall’Aglio - of Richmond Hill, NY (posthumous) was a Sergeant with the United States Army during the Korean War and also served during World War II. He has also been awarded the Korean War Service Medal and the New York State Medal for Merit. His son, John Dall’Aglio will be accepting the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with Clasp Silver 1 Loop, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp, the Korean Service Medal with Double Bronze Star Attachment, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, the United Nations Service Medal, the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button and the Marksman Badge & Carbine Bar on his behalf.

Philip D’Arco - of Middle Village, NY was a Private First Class with the Company B 720th RY Operation Battalion during World War II. He has also been awarded the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal together with other Military Medals. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit.

Anthony J. DiMieri - of Maspeth, NY (posthumous) was a Private First Class with the 261st Infantry 65th Division during World War II. He has also been awarded the New York State Conspicuous Cross and the Presidential Memorial Certificate. His sister, Rose Picciano will be accepting the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award and the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button on his behalf.

Vincent J. Fasullo - of Ridgewood, NY was a Master Sergeant with the United States Army during the Korean War. He has also been awarded the Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star and the United Nations Service Medal together with other Military Medals. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit and the Korean War Service Medal.

Tony A. Filingeri - of Sunnyside, NY was a Private First Class with the 1907th Ordnance Ammunition Company during World War II. He has also been awarded the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal together with other Military Medals. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit.

Ernest J. Furone - of Glendale, NY was a Private First Class with the 611th Air Materiel Squadron, 386th Air Service Group during World War II. He has also been awarded the New York State Medal for Merit and the Cold War Recognition Certificate. He will be receiving the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button.

William G. Furone - of Glendale, NY was a Corporal with the 49th Fighter Group during World War II. He has also been awarded the New York State Medal for Merit and the Cold War Recognition Certificate. He will be receiving the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp, the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button and the World War II Victory Medal.

Louis Gallonty - of Glendale, NY (posthumous) was a Private with the United States Army during World War I. He has also been awarded the Purple Heart and the World War I Victory Medal. His daughter, Helen Wise will be accepting the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the Presidential Memorial Certificate on his behalf.

Harry F. Gleason - of Ozone Park, NY (posthumous) was a Corporal with the Headquarters Detachment S.I.T. during World War II. He has also been awarded the American Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal together with other Military Medals. His wife, Ann Gleason will be accepting the New York State Medal for Merit on his behalf.

Robert L. Gohrig - of Middle Village, NY was a Private First Class with the United States Army. He will be receiving the Good Conduct Medal.

George J. Guglielmetti - of Smithtown, NY (posthumous) was a Corporal with the Battery C 104th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Auto Weapons Battalion during World War II. He has also been awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon together with other Military Medals. His granddaughter, Danielle Martinetti will be accepting the Presidential Memorial Certificate on his behalf.

L. C. Harris - of Jamaica, NY (posthumous) was a Private First Class with the United States Army. His daughter, Katrina Harris will be accepting the Presidential Memorial Certificate on his behalf.

Lawrence Harris - of Laurelton, NY was a Specialist Four with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He has also been awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal together with other Military Medals. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit.

Thomas J. Higgins - of Woodhaven, NY (posthumous) was a Private First Class with the United States Army during the Korean War era. He has also been awarded the National Defense Service Medal. His daughter, Mary Ellen Gavin will be accepting the Presidential Memorial Certificate on his behalf.

Dennis G. Hill - of North Massapequa, NY was a Staff Sergeant with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He has also been awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal together with other Military Medals. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit.

Michael Hollander - of Forest Park, NY (posthumous) was a Technician Fifth Grade with the 165th Signal Photo Company during World War II. He has also been awarded the American Service Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal together with other Military Medals. His wife, Libby Hollander will be accepting the Presidential Memorial Certificate on his behalf.

Gregory T. Houston - of Richmond Hill, NY was a Sergeant with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He has also been awarded the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the New York State Conspicuous Service Star. He will be receiving the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster Bronze Large (Double) with Letter "V" Device, the Air Medal with Numeral 2, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star Attachment (Triple), the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar and the Marksman Badge with Auto Rifle Bar and Machine Gun Bar.

William J. Kessler - of Huntington Station, NY (posthumous) was a Private with the Army Ground Force Medical Unit during World War II. He has also been awarded the New York State Medal for Merit and the Cold War Recognition Certificate. His wife, Dorothy Kessler will be accepting the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button and the Presidential Memorial Certificate on his behalf.

Kenneth H. Landherr - of Ridgewood, NY was a Seaman First Class with the United States Navy during the Korean War. He has also been awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the European Occupation Medal. He will be receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal and the New York State Medal for Merit.

Frank A. Parente - of East Meadow, NY was a Specialist Three with the United States Army. He will be receiving the Army Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, the Good Conduct Medal and the New York State Medal for Merit.

Leon Parker, Jr. - of Cambria Heights, NY was a Private Second Class with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He has also received the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal together with other Military Medals. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit.

Anthony J. Pedone - of Howard Beach, NY (posthumous) was a Private First Class with the United States Army during the Korean War. He has also been awarded the New York State Medal for Merit and the Korean War Service Medal together with other Military Medals. His wife, Jean Pedone will be accepting the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation on his behalf.

Anthony Peralta - of Maspeth, NY was a Corporal with the United States Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He has also been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation together with other Military Medals. He will be receiving the New York State Conspicuous Service Star and the New York State Medal for Merit.

Louis P. Picciano - of Maspeth, NY was a Sergeant with the United States Army. He has also been awarded the Parachute Badge and Glider Badge. He will be receiving the Cold War Recognition Certificate.

Gerald Postiglione - of Howard Beach, NY (posthumous) was a Private First Class with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He has also received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon together with other Military Medals. His wife, Josephine Postiglione will be accepting the New York State Conspicuous Service Star and the New York State Medal for Merit on his behalf.

Anthony D. Prizzi - of Ozone Park, NY (posthumous) was a Private First Class with the Company B 47th Infantry during World War II. He has also been awarded the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. His wife, Frances Prizzi will be accepting the New York State Medal for Merit and the Cold War Recognition Certificate on his behalf.

Paul H. Rom - of Ridgewood, NY was a Technician Fifth Grade with the Headquarters Battery 750th Anti-Aircraft Armed Artillery Gun Battalion during World War II. He has also been awarded the America Defense Service Medal with Star and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal together with other Military Medals. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit.

Abraham Rosenstein - of Forest Hills, NY (posthumous) served with the United States Navy during World War I. His daughter, Libby Hollander will be accepting the Presidential Memorial Certificate on his behalf.

Joseph P. Schultz - of Roseville, CA (posthumous) was a Private First Class with the United States Army during World War II. His wife, Dorothy Schultz will be accepting the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button and the Marksmen Badge with Rifle Bar on his behalf.

Anthony Sierra - of Lakewood, CA was a Storekeeper Second Class with the United States Navy during World War II. He has also been awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit and the Cold War Recognition Certificate.

James T. Trezza - of East Meadow, NY was a Private First Class with the Company C 32nd Infantry Regiment during World War II. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit, the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp, the World War II Victory Medal, the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button and the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar.

Benjamin Turkel - of New York, NY (posthumous) was a Private with the United States Army during World War I. His son, Lawrence Turkel will be accepting the World War I Victory Button and the World War I Victory Medal on his behalf.

Melvin Turkel - of New York, NY (posthumous) was a Sergeant with the United States Army during World War II. His brother, Lawrence Turkel will be accepting the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button and the World War II Victory Medal on his behalf.

Raymond A. Valdes - of Middle Village, NY was a Technician Fifth Grade with the Medical Detachment 180th Infantry during World War II. He will be receiving the Bronze Star Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Medical Badge 1st Award and the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button.

Frank Vitale - of Middle Village, NY was a Private First Class with the Company I 410th Infantry during World War II. He has also been awarded the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with Bronze Arrowhead. He will be receiving the New York State Medal for Merit.

Senator Serphin R. Maltese also presented New york State Senate Liberty Awards to the following veterans for their extraordinary service to their country and their exceptional and dedicated efforts and service to their fellow veterans.:

Franklyn Bachman - of Glendale, NY was a First Lieutenant with the United States Air Corps 491st Bomb Group during World War II. He has also served as a New York City Police Officer and a New York City Fire Fighter. He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the American Theater Ribbon with 1 Battle Star, the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with 6 Battle Stars, the Distinguished Unit Citation, the World War II Honorable Lapel Button, the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the New York State Conspicuous Service Star.

Eugene Burch - of Glendale, NY was a Sergeant with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He has been awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 O/S Bar, the National Defense Service Medal, the Expert Badge Rifle M-14 and the New York State Medal for Merit. He is a member of the Disabled Veterans of America, the Catholic War Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign War and is a past Commander and member of the American Legion Continental Post 1424. He is also Senator Maltese’s Veteran’s Advisor and works hard for all veterans to ensure that each veteran receives all of the benefits that they are entitled to.

Neil Correia - of Middle Village, NY was a Sergeant with the United States Air Force during Operation Desert Shield Desert Storm. He has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 20 Leaf Clusters, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 Device, the Air Force Training Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the Air Force Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the New York State Medal for Merit and the Cold War Recognition Certificate.

Brendan H. Gibbons - of Middle Village, NY was a Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps during Operations Allied Force, Allied Harbor, Shining Hope, Noble Anvil and Joint Guardian. He has been awarded the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with 1 Star, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Rifle Expert Badge, the Pistol Marksmanship Badge, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 2 Stars, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the NATO Medal with 1 Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Certificate of Commendation, the New York State Conspicuous Service Star and the New York State Medal for Merit.

Carmello J. Giuffre - of Maspeth, NY was a Private with the United States Army during

the Korean War. He has been awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the New York State Medal for Merit, the Korean War Service Medal and the Cold War Recognition Certificate.

Gregory T. Houston - of Richmond Hill, NY was a Sergeant with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster Bronze Large (Double) with Letter "V" Device, the Air Medal with Numeral 2, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star Attachment (Triple), the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), the Sharpshooter Badge and Rifle Bar and the Marksman Badge with Auto Rifle Bar and Machine Gun Bar, the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the New York State Conspicuous Service Star.

Anthony Peralta - of Maspeth, NY was a Corporal with the United States Marine Corps during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He has also been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Letter of Appreciation, the Meritorious Mast, the Good Conduct Medal, the New York State Conspicuous Service Star and the New York State Medal for Merit.

Veronica L. Saladigo-Dombrowski - of Huntington, NY was a First Lieutenant with the United States Army Nurse Corps, 16th General Hospital during World War II. She has been awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque, the Jubilee of Liberty Commemorative Medal and the Cold War Recognition Certificate.

Pastor Toro, Jr. - of Forest Hills, NY was a Corporal with the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He has been awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Medal 1st Class with Palm, the New York State Conspicuous Service Star, the New York State Medal for Merit, the New York State Senate Liberty Medal and he has also been inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. He currently serves as President of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Queens Chapter 32, President of the United Veterans and Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth, President of the Friends for the Queens Vietnam War Memorial and Government Affairs Chairman for the New York State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He has also helped to develop and build a memorial for 450 Queens residents who gave the ‘Ultimate Sacrifice’ during the Vietnam War. This memorial is being built on the site of the Old Keyspan Gas Tanks in Elmhurst, NY. He also has accepted the responsibility to arrange for the preparation and burial of ‘Indigent Veterans’ that are presently being held at the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office to be buried at Calverton National Cemetery in Long Island, with full Military Honors.

Katherine M. Whaley-Husbands - of St. Albans, NY was a Technician Fifth Grade with the Hospital WAC Detachment #2 SCU 1747 during World War II. She has been awarded the American Service Medal, the WAAC Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the New York State Medal for Merit.

Thomas X. Winberry - of Rego Park, NY was an Electricians Mate with the United States Navy during the Korean War Era. He was a distinguished New York City Police Officer for 20 years and was cited over 15 times for acts of courage and was presented with the "Catherine O’Dwyer" Medal by Mayor John V. Lindsay. He has also been actively involved with the American Legion for more than 30 years, serving as House Committee Chairman, Vice Commander, Post Commander of the American Legion Continental Post 1424 for 7 consecutive years and in 2007 he served as Queens County Commander for the American Legion.

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