Today, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) will present the son of World War II Chief Pharmacist Mate Jack M. Savage with a Purple Heart and eight other medals for bravery 68 years after his father was killed in action on October 24, 1944.
“It is an honor to pay tribute to Chief Pharmacist Mate Jack M. Savage, an American war hero, who gave his life in battle so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today,” said Rep. Wilson.
Chief Savage’s son, Jack, who is 75 years old and hospitalized at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, contacted Rep. Wilson for help over a year ago. Rep. Wilson immediately contacted the Department of the Navy on Mr. Savage’s behalf.
Officials with the Department of the Navy responded recently, saying that after a review of Chief Savage’s service personnel record, he was entitled to the following awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart, Navy Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver and one bronze Star, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze star, Combat Action Ribbon and an Honorable Service Lapel Pin (Ruptured Duck).
According to the Department of the Navy, Chief Pharmacist Savage, although mortally wounded, continued to refuse his own treatment to ensure that his shipmates received first aid. His actions – at the cost of his own life – said officials, exemplified courage and honor and were in keeping with the Department’s highest traditions.
Additionally, Chief Savage was entitled to the Philippine Liberation Medal with one bronze star and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Because they are foreign awards, they must be obtained through the Embassy of the Philippines Office of Veteran Affairs.
For Chief Savage’s son, Jack, a decade-long battle has been won now that his father has finally received recognition for his sacrifice and bravery.
Rep. Wilson will also present Mr. Savage with a Gold Star lapel button from the Department of the Navy. The lapel pin symbolizes that he is the next of kin of a member of the armed forces who lost his life during World War II as a result of armed hostilities, while the purple background symbolizes that Chief Savage was awarded the Purple Heart.
“Words cannot express my gratitude and that of the American people for the ultimate sacrifice made by men and women like Chief Pharmacist Mate Jack M. Savage,” Rep. Wilson said.
WHO: Rep. Wilson and Jack Savage, son of World War II Chief Pharmacist Mate Jack Savage
WHAT: Posthumous Presentation of Purple Heart and eight other medals for bravery
WHEN: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 3:00 pm
WHERE: 8TH Floor Conference Room, De Hirsch Meyer Tower (main building), Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Rd., Miami Beach, FL 33140
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Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term Congresswoman representing the 17th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.
