Senator Johnson Honors Two Local Veterans Into The NYS Senate Veterans Hall Of Fame

Babylon, New York, November 15, 2006 -- State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, announced on Veterans Day that he had selected two local veterans to be inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. The Senate’s Online Hall of Fame was established by the Senate last year to honor the men and women throughout New York who served our nation with distinction and fought to ensure that freedom and liberty would be preserved for current and future generations. The Hall of Fame is a tribute to New Yorkers who served -- and continue to serve -- our nation and state with distinction. This year’s inductees from the 4th Senate District are Arthur M. Cromarty of Lindenhurst and Adolph "Ralph" Panetta of Bay Shore.

"It is my honor to induct Arthur Cromarty and Ralph Panetta into the Senate’s Online Veterans Hall of Fame," said Senator Owen H. Johnson, himself a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. "Both men served our nation with distinction. Through this online exhibit, we will share the important stories of their service so that others may learn of the sacrifices they made on behalf of our great nation."

Arthur M. Cromarty of Lindenhurst served as a Captain in the United States Army during the Second World War where he was a member of the 1403rd Army Air Force Base European Division Air Transport. He served as a lead bombardier and completed 30 missions over Germany and France for which he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also earned the Air Medal with 3 oak clusters, each denoting subsequent awards of the Air Medal. He participated in battles and campaigns including the European Theater, Air Offensive Europe, Normandy and Northern France. He earned the European African and Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the European Theater of Operation Medal with Three Bronze Battle Stars and is authorized to wear four overseas service bars. He was awarded the Jubilee Medal commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Normandy Landing and Battle of Normandy. He is former Vice Commander of the Amityville Legion and a current member of the Lindenhurst Legion Post #1015.

Adolph "Ralph" Panetta of Bay Shore served as a Corporal in the US Army during WWII. He earned the Silver Star, the US Military’s 4th highest military award, after he saved the life of a wounded member of his platoon by crawling through heavy artillery fire against the advice of his platoon leader and administering first aid to the injured soldier. He was recognized for his courage and selflessness in helping hold off the Germans during a critical point in battle. He also earned the Bronze Star for his meritorious achievement in ground combat against the enemy in the European African Middle Eastern Theater of Operations, and was awarded the Purple Heart after sustaining a wound to the knee when he was shot as he and his fellow Army infantryman attacked a nearby machine gun nest on an Italian mountainside. He also earned the Infantry Combat Badge and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, which is New York State’s highest military honor. He is Past Commander of the Italian American War Veterans where continues to be a member.

The New York State Senate Veterans Online Hall of Fame can be accessed online through the Senate’s website at www.senate.state.ny.us or via Senator Johnson’s website at www.senatorowenjohnson.net.