Courtney presented lost Purple Heart to family of WWII veteran
NORWICH, CT— Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) presented a Purple Heart medal to the family of the late Staff Sergeant Arnold H. Haapala. SSGT Haapala served in the U.S. Army, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division and was killed in action during the invasion of Normandy on June 21, 1944 at the age of 27. Haapala is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.
The Purple Heart was recovered during an estate liquidation. After its discovery, the Office of Congressman Courtney was contacted to search for the owner's surviving family members. The office, using online resources, tracked down his niece, Carol Pacifico of East Meadow, NY. Mrs. Pacifico and her two brothers are the only known living relatives of Haapala.
"My office was honored to play a role restoring this invaluable medal to the ---- family," Congressman Courtney said. "Congresswoman McCarthy was extremely supportive in our efforts to honor SSGT Arnold Haapala's heroic service."
Congresswoman McCarthy remarked, "Congressional offices are a great place for veterans and active service members to go for help on a wide range of issues, and this act by my colleague Congressman Courtney is a unique and heartwarming example. I'm grateful for his and his staff's hard work and so happy for the constituents they were able to help."
(Eddie Gaynor and Carol Pacifico, nephew and niece of Staff Sergeant Arnold H. Haapala, and Congressman Joe Courtney)