PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient J. Patrick Little to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point
Avondale Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Pennsylvania’s Purple Heart Veterans as Part of the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project
(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Specialist (SPC) J. Patrick “Pat” Little, a Vietnam War veteran, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Pennsylvania’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. The all-expense-paid trip includes visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s Headquarters, a special tour of the newly renovated National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and other tributes to service.
“Pat and his fellow Patriot Project honorees are true American heroes,” said Richie Lay, a Purple Heart recipient and chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “America’s Purple Heart veterans have given so much to defend freedom and that sacrifice must always be remembered. We are privileged to be able to provide this unique salute to service for our Purple Heart heroes.”
“Our Purple Heart recipients have made enormous sacrifices for America and this is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation. For some, this will be like the homecoming they never had. We received hundreds of nominations from across the country and we look forward to honoring Pat for his lifelong sacrifice and service to his community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
Asked what younger Americans should know before joining the service, SPC Little said, “Do the best you can. Listen to your leaders and your instructors, they can save your life. Remember you are a team member no matter which branch of service you are in.”
Pat Little enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1968 and was assigned to the 1st Air Cavalry Division. On the night of August 11, 1969, three days after arriving at LZ Becky, Little’s unit came under heavy mortar and rocket attack. During the course of the fighting, at approximately 3:00 a.m., while Little was serving as the Fire Direction Control for a three-gun, 155 mm howitzer unit in A Battery, his position was hit by a barrage of mortars and RPGs that destroyed all three guns and Control station. SPC Little was among the 19 wounded-in-action and the nine killed-in-action, receiving shrapnel wounds to neck, hands and flak jacket. It was later estimated that the LZ received more than 400 mortar and RPG rounds during the attack.
Along with his Purple Heart, SPC Little was awarded numerous medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and more.
After his military service, Pat Little went to work at Dupont and had two children, Michael and Carolyn. Upon retiring from Dupont he founded his own business and worked for another 18 years. In 2014, Little was named the National Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). Today he continues to service his community as the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for New Garden Township, Pennsylvania. He was nominated to take part in the Patriot Project Mission by Gary Morris, the MOPH Department of Delaware State Commander.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located just north of West Point, New York, at the site where General George Washington first awarded the Badge of Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The badge, shaped like a purple heart was the forerunner of today’s medal. In addition to creation of the museum, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp now issued by the US Postal Service, and the organization was the driving force behind bipartisan legislation establishing the nation’s first official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin, which will be minted in 2022.
Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to support the Purple Heart Patriot Project should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.
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