To those with extensive or even generally satisfactory military knowledge, it is one thing for one’s own country to meritoriously recognize them for their doting service, especially that which took place in the heat of combat. This is standard issue. However, it is another thing entirely when another country recognizes you for your accomplishments.
This is exactly what France did for Long Island’s own Frank Agoglia, 101, of Deer Park, before a stacked cast of fellow military-grade heroes on Friday, Dec. 20th.
The Brooklyn-born World War II Army Private entered service at the young age of 19 in 1943. He was with the 325th Glider Infantry regiment when he played an instrumental role in the Battle of Normandy the following year.
Though he crash-landed in a field facing the threat of enemy fire, it was Agoglia’s slyness in securing crucial positions that helped provide for a successfully carried out “D-Day” operation on June 6, 1944.
“Frank is the essence of both courage and bravery,” said Fred Sganga, Executive Director of
the Stony Brook University-located LI State Veterans Home—where Agoglia has lived for the past year.
Agoglia received two Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart for his service decades ago. Humble as ever on his day of recognition, Agoglia did not demand further symbolic hardware—but deserved it nonetheless, according to representatives of the issuing nation on hand.
“The French government and the French nation will never forget your bravery and the sacrifice of your fallen companions,” said Myriam Gil, Deputy Consul General of France, when rewarding Agoglia with the “French Legion of Honor.”
This medal is the highest honor the French bestows; their way of not understating just how grateful they are for the countries who helped to liberate them from the tyrannical hands of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
“We owe you our freedom,” she added, “we will always remember that.”
“I’m amazed, I sometimes can’t believe that was my dad—that went and fought against evil and saved the world at the time,” daughter Susan Pombano told NewsdayTV.
Back in 2019, Agoglia made news when, after falling in a supermarket while shopping with Susan, he sustained fractures that required him to have hip surgery. After months of rehabilitation, he returned to find his Deer Park home had been retrofitted to fit all of his needs moving forward.
This was made possible in conjunction with the Make it Count Foundation, another Suffolk County-based organization providing noble, no-cost accommodations to Veterans in need. Make it Count supplied renovations, which included a handicap-accessible bathroom, and installed an easy-access garage door opener where there was not one prior.
In a final salute, Agoglia thanked all those who spent the day thanking him—and offered a heartfelt “good luck” as all raised a glass to salute the esteemed man of the hour.
To commemorate 80 years having passed since the fated Normandy invasion, The South Shore Press thanks Private Agoglia for his service. We also pass empathic holiday wishes unto both he and his fellow “Greatest Generation” soldiers who are incredibly still around to witness the fruits of their labor all these years later.