Adler's Office Helped Secure the Purple Heart

Toms River, NJ – In a ceremony at the American Legion Post 129 in Toms River, Sergeant (Sgt.) Raymond Joseph Drennan received his Purple Heart more than six decades after being injured during World War II.  Mr. Drennan’s son, Paul, also a Toms River resident, contacted Congressman Adler’s office after hearing his father recount stories of the War.  The Congressman’s constituent services staff was able to cut the bureaucratic red-tape so Sgt. Drennan could receive an honor long overdue.

Sgt. Raymond Joseph Drennan was injured while fighting the enemy at Okinawa on May 18th, 1945. Sgt. Drennan, a member of the 29th Battalion of the Marines 6th Division, was under heavy duress while pinned in a foxhole, and was injured in the line of fire.  Mr. Drennan suffered an exit wound which received medical attention.  Despite the injury, Mr. Drennan kept fighting with his Battalion. Sgt. Drennan has previously received a Combat Action Ribbon for his service during WWII, Presidential Unit Citation for the 6th Marine Division’s service on Okinawa, and various other campaign medals. However, he never received the Purple Heart he had earned.

Surrounded by family and friends, Sgt. Drennan, the father of nine, received the Purple Heart from a Marine Corporal. A Sgt. Major read the citation during a ceremony with full color guard and battalion colors.  Congressman Adler’s staff also presented the Sergeant with an entry into the Congressional Record recognizing Sgt. Drennan’s heroics, and a flag flown over the Capitol.

Full text of the Congressional Record is below:

JOHN ADLER, NJ—Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Paul Drennan, who is being honored with the Purple Heart that he earned while fighting the enemy at Okinawa on May 18, 1945.  This honor is long overdue and serves as a reminder of the great sacrifices given by our military personnel from all generations.

Mr. Drennan served as a Sergeant in the 29^th Battalion of the Marines 6^th Division.  He was under heavy duress while pinned in a foxhole, and he was injured in the line of fire.  Mr. Drennan suffered an exit wound, but kept fighting with his Battalion.  The battle fought at Okinawa saw 62,000 American casualties: the bloodiest battle experienced in the Pacific war.

The men and women of our Armed Forced serve with an incomparable sense of duty.  Mr. Drennan, like many men and women that wear the military uniform, served selflessly and with only his country’s interest in mind. The Adler family, and families all across New Jersey, are eternally grateful for Mr. Drennan’s service.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great American hero.  Without his sacrifice, and the sacrifice of those like him, we would not share the freedoms that we have today.  It is important to remember the duty laid upon our men and women in the military from past generations and those who will serve in the future.