Congressman Steve Israel recently presented United States Army veteran, Corporal (Cpl) Benjamin Chrzanoski with six replacement service medals and two new medals for his brave service in Europe during World War II.
“Our veterans deserve every benefit and medal owed to them after serving our country,” said Israel. “Mr. Chrzanoski is a true American hero who fought to defend our freedoms and refused to give up hope while being held captive for six months. I am honored to present him and his family with these medals that represent his bravery and willingness to risk his life to protect the United States.”
After working with the Department of the Army to replace six of Chrzanoski’s service medals, the congressman’s office discovered that he was also entitled to the Prisoner of War Medal and the Bronze Star for his actions while serving in France.
“It means a great deal to me that my family will have these new medals as a reminder of what my fellow soldiers and I fought for so many years ago,” said Chrzanoski. “I thank Congressman Israel for helping honor my service and the service of those I fought alongside.”
Chrzanoski was born in Brooklyn on April 22, 1924. In March of 1943, during his first semester at Columbia University, Chrzanoski was drafted into the Army. After completing a year of military training, he was shipped to England where he was given orders to join the 3rd Army in Metz, France after the invasion of Normandy.
While engaged in intense combat with German forces during the Battle of Metz, Chrzanoski and a handful of his fellow American soldiers ran out of food and ammunition and had no other choice but to surrender. Chrzanoski and the other Americans were transported nearly 570 miles northeast to a camp in Neubrandenburg, Germany where he would spend six months as a POW. He was released to American forces in May of 1945 and returned back to England before being honorably discharged from the Army at Fort Dix, NJ, on Nov. 30, 1945.
Israel presented Chrzanoski with the following medals:
New Medals:
• The Prisoner of War Medal
• The Bronze Star Medal
Replacement Medals:
• The American Service Medal
• The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• The Good Conduct Medal
• The World War II Victory Medal
• The Honorable Service Lapel Button
• The Combat Infantryman Badge
To date, Israel has secured more than $8.6 million in benefits for New York veterans.
