LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WKBW) — On Monday, Sen. Robert Ortt honored a true American hero. U.S. Army U.S. Army Private First Class (PFC), Anthony Santoro, was presented with a New York State “Veterans’ Hall of Fame” Award for his service in Germany during WWII.
The Buffalo native enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school in 1944 and served with the 10th Armored Division, Company A – Armored Infantry.
In April of 1945, while on patrol in Heilbronn, Germany, Tony was injured when a German shell hit the tank he was patrolling alongside. The explosion left PFC Santoro with nerve damage and shrapnel injuries to his back. Tony would spend the next seven months in hospitals in France and in New York City. In 1945, he was awarded a Purple Heart and was medically discharged as a Private First Class.
“Because of the sacrifices by young men like PFC Santoro, the world was saved from fascism and tyranny,” said Sen. Ortt. “Today, we are afforded the freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness because of American heroes like PFC Santoro and the millions of veterans that have served after him. I am honored to celebrate this man, and thank him for his service to our great nation.
