West Caldwell Vet Made Ultimate Sacrifice; Medals On Display

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — Want to catch a glimpse of a Purple Heart award earned by a West Caldwell resident who sacrificed his life for his country? Visit the West Caldwell Public Library and pay your respects to Lieutenant Brian Flavelle.

Flavelle, who grew up in West Caldwell, was killed in action on August 1, 1943 while participating in a daring raid known as “Operation Tidal Wave,” carried out on oil refineries near Ploiesti, Romania.

Almost 75 years after participating in "Operation Tidal Wave," Flavelle was again in the memories of Essex County last summer when his Purple Heart medal was returned to the first lieutenant's family members.

The endeavor was part of an effort from Purple Hearts United to reunite eight Purple Hearts from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq with veterans or their family members, held on National Purple Heart Day.

• See related article: Purple Heart Returns To Caldwell, Honors Local Vet

Flavelle also posthumously received the received the Silver Star, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, Aviator Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Distinguished Unit Citation.

Last Saturday, Flavelle’s family presented his medals to West Caldwell Mayor Joseph Tempesta Jr. and the West Caldwell Council during their reorganization meeting. The medals will be on permanent display at the West Caldwell Public Library.

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Photo: West Caldwell Public Library