Brookline to Award Purple Heart to Naval Officer Killed in Vietnam

BROOKLINE, MA - A Naval officer killed in Vietnam will receive the Purple Heart after the circumstances surrounding his death were amended.

According to a press release, Commander Melvin Lederman was killed along with five marines and one sailor when the rescue helicopter he was riding in exploded while flying south of Denang in November 1969. The incident was initially listed as a mechanical failure, disqualifying the seven men for the Purple Heart.

After an investigation determined the aircraft had been struck by enemy fire, the records of the five marines were adjusted and they were awarded Purple Hearts.

However, the records of Lederman and the sailor, Naval Corpsmen James M. Garrett, were not altered. Lederman's family spent 47 years working to see his record amended; after Congressman Joe Kennedy III took up their cause, the records of both men were corrected.

This will be Lederman's fourth Purple Heart. His family will receive the honor at a ceremony in the main lobby of the Brookline Town Hall Monday, May 23 at 9:30 a.m.

The award will be granted by the Town of Brookline, in conjunction with Congressman Joe Kennedy III, the Stephen F. Rutledge Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 864 and American Legion Post 11.

Schedule of Events

9:30 a.m. - Opening Remarks: William T. McGroarty, Director of Veterans Services

9:35 a.m. - Acknowledgement of Service: Congressman Joe Kennedy III

9:45 a.m. - Presentation of Purple Heart to Lederman Family: Congressman Joe Kennedy III

9:50 a.m. - Rededication of World War I Honor Roll: Town Administrator Melvin Kleckner

10 a.m. - Presentation of Veterans’ Service Awards

10:10 a.m. - Closing Remarks: Commander John Tynan, VFW

Stephen F. Rutledge, Post 864

All participants are invited to a light collation at the Veterans Post at the corner of Cypress St. & Washington St.