Farmingdale, NY - June 25, 2018 - On Saturday, June 23rd, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) joined the family of Corporal Gregory Foster for the rededication of his headstone, which now includes the Silver Star Corporal Foster earned during his service in Vietnam.
On March 23, 1969, then-Private First Class Gregory Foster was a machine gunner in Vietnam. During an intense exchange of fire with a large North Vietnamese Army unit, Foster rushed through the line of fire to rescue two of his fellow Marines who were wounded. For his bravery and courage, Foster was awarded the Silver Star.
Upon returning home and joining the New York Police Department, Officer Foster was killed in the line of duty alongside his partner and fellow Marine veteran, Rocco Laurie, on January 27, 1972, at the age of 22.
When Corporal Foster was laid to rest at Long Island National Cemetery, the Silver Star he earned during his time in Vietnam was not included. Earlier this year, a fellow veteran and NYPD officer who was on duty the night Foster was killed, reached out to Rep. Zeldin requesting assistance in recifying this error. Working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Long Island National Cemetery, Rep. Zeldin assisted in acquiring a new headstone, which included Corporal Foster’s Silver Star.
On Saturday, June 23rd, Rep. Zeldin joined Corporal Foster’s family, NYPD officers, and his fellow veterans for the rededication ceremony of Corporal Foster’s new headstone.