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For Immediate Release
 
November 3, 2006

Hinchey Presents Overdue War Medals
To Deceased Local Veteran's Family

 

 

 
Monticello, NY - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today presented long overdue war medals to a deceased local veteran's family during a ceremony at the Sullivan County Government Center.  Hinchey presented the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal & Bronze Star Attachment, the WWII Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII earned by the late Seymour Eisner to his brother and sister-in-law, Melvin and Rosalyn Eisner of Monticello.  Seymour Eisner's family spent about five years trying to secure the medals.  After being unable to obtain the medals, the family contacted Hinchey's office who was able to get them from the Department of Defense. 
 
"Seymour Eisner earned these medals while bravely serving his country.  As a veteran and a grateful American, I am honored to be able to present them to his family today," Hinchey said. "Seymour Eisner displayed remarkable courage as he saved his friend and fellow soldier's life, while unfortunately losing his own life.  These medals serve as a reminder of Seymour Eisner's heroic actions.  We will never forget."
 
Seymour Eisner was killed in action during World War II at the age of 20 in September, 1944. He died while saving the life of Frank Rogan, his friend and fellow company scout.  Rogan had stepped on a landmine that exploded shrapnel through both his legs.  During this nighttime reconnaissance mission, Seymour ran into the mine field to pick up Frank (who was taller and larger than he was) and proceeded to carry him out of the mine field.
 
Within the next few moments, Seymour was hit with two 50-caliber machine gun rounds that pierced his shoulder and back.  They both fell to the ground, where they laid for 12-14 hours before being rescued by U.S. Troops.  They were both taken by ambulance to the nearest shelter, during which time Seymour died in transit.  Frank Rogan was transferred to a hospital in England where he stayed for nearly one year before being shipped back to the U.S.
 
Frank and Seymour had both promised that if one of them died and the other survived, the surviving man would visit the other's family.  Frank did this following the war, recounting stories of Seymour, including incidents where Seymour and other scouts took German prisoners with guns that had no ammunition.  Frank and his wife Mary visited the Eisner family, but never mentioned the details of Seymour's death, specifically that Seymour had in fact died while trying to save Frank's life.  Seymour's family later found out the circumstances behind his death through a Memoriam published by Frank Rogan in a Massachusetts' newspaper.

 

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