William Brustman

Born, raised and educated in Obernburg, New York, a small town in the southern Catskill Mountains, William Brustman embarked upon a remarkable journey with his enlistment in the United States Army on September 11, 1941.

He rose through the ranks to Sgt. E6 before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry on August 6, 1943. Mr. Brustman saw action in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam during his 23 years of service, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.

During World War II, Mr. Brustman served as a mortar platoon leader for the 9th Infantry Division’s Italian Campaign and with the Berlin Brigade during the occupation of Germany. During the Korean War, he was Company Commander in the 1st Calvary Division, 25th Infantry during the occupation of that country, and during Vietnam served as a MACV advisor to the Vietnamese Army.

For his numerous acts of gallantry on the battlefield, Colonel Brustman was presented with the Bronze Star and three Combat Infantry Badges. In addition, he holds the distinction of being one of a select group of individuals in our nation to have been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge Third Award.

However, beyond the bravery and leadership that Colonel Brustman is known to have exhibited on distant battlefields, he may be most deserving of a place among the elite veterans of New York State for his tireless dedication to ensuring that the service of his fellow veterans is recognized and their sacrifices remembered here at home.

Colonel William Brustman, a native son of Sullivan County, a wartime hero, and selfless advocate for our nation’s veterans, is hereby inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.