99-year old D-Day veteran receives long-delayed Purple Heart
Army Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville presented a long-overdue Purple Heart to Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher during a ceremony at Fort Hamilton Army Garrison on June 18. Fletcher, a Black D-Day combat veteran who was wounded in Normandy and waited more than 77 years for the Purple Heart he was due, is a member of William E. Sheridan American Legion Police Post 1059 in Brooklyn.![Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher, who served in the 254th Port Battalion, was wounded while transporting supplies into Normandy during the largest amphibious invasion in military history. (Photo by Todd Maisel)](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/20210618_WW2%20Purple%20Heart_355614.jpeg?itok=wHCSvBg1)
Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher, who served in the 254th Port Battalion, was wounded while transporting supplies into Normandy during the largest amphibious invasion in military history. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
![Helen Patton, granddaughter of tGen. George Patton with Michelle Strauss (center) Chair of the Patton Legacy Sports League, greet Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher during a ceremony June 18 at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn (Photo by Todd Maisel/The American Legion)](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/20210618_WW2%20Purple%20Heart_355435.jpeg?itok=98t6YkDn)
Helen Patton, granddaughter of tGen. George Patton with Michelle Strauss (center) Chair of the Patton Legacy Sports League, greet Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher during a ceremony June 18 at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn (Photo by Todd Maisel/The American Legion)
![An Army officer takes advantage of an opportunity to snap a selfie with Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher, before the 99-year old Black D-Day veteran was presented a long-overdue Purple Heart at a Fort Hamilton Army Garrison ceremony. (Photo by Todd Maisel)](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/20210618_WW2%20Purple%20Heart_355646.jpeg?itok=Ds_qntdr)
An Army officer takes advantage of an opportunity to snap a selfie with Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher, before the 99-year old Black D-Day veteran was presented a long-overdue Purple Heart at a Fort Hamilton Army Garrison ceremony. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
![Ozzie Fletcher’s Purple Heart, received more than 77 years after he was wounded in Normandy. (Photo by Todd Maisel/The American Legion)](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/20210618_WW2%20Purple%20Heart_355696.jpeg?itok=C7dZ5Vd6)
Ozzie Fletcher’s Purple Heart, received more than 77 years after he was wounded in Normandy. (Photo by Todd Maisel/The American Legion)
![Members of the media talk with D-Day veteran Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher following his Purple Heart Ceremony. (Photo by Todd Maisel)](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/20210618_WW2%20Purple%20Heart_355602.jpeg?itok=hxBTvWip)
Members of the media talk with D-Day veteran Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher following his Purple Heart Ceremony. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
![Jacqueline Streets, who long championed the effort to see her father, Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher, receive the Purple Heart, embraces her mother, Pauline Fletcher, after the ceremony. (Photo by Todd Maisel)](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/20210618_WW2%20Purple%20Heart_355598-1.jpeg?itok=dNSI3RrP)
Jacqueline Streets, who long championed the effort to see her father, Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher, receive the Purple Heart, embraces her mother, Pauline Fletcher, after the ceremony. (Photo by Todd Maisel)