Family of World War II hero reunited with missing Purple Heart
Thanks to the help of a good Samaritan and Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner, the family of a World War II hero who was killed in action has been reunited with his Purple Heart Medal.
The Purple Heart Medal of U.S. Army Veteran Floyd Mabb, who resided in Ballston Spa, was once thought to be lost until a local resident found it in a purse recently purchased at a garage sale.
The medal was brought to the Saratoga County Clerk’s office in hopes that records were kept to connect the medal with the veteran’s family. Hayner and his staff were able to locate records in the county files regarding Private First Class Mabb’s service.
The County Veterans Service Agency also assisted by locating additional records from the federal government that provided details of PFC Mabb’s service.
PFC Mabb was killed in action while serving as an Infantryman in the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He was killed on January 3, 1945, near Longchamps, Belgium.
On Tuesday, Lloyd Helman and William “Bub” Helman, nephews of PFC Mabb, were presented with the Purple Heart by Hayner. This reunion comes on the heels of National Purple Heart Day, which was celebrated on Aug. 7.
The County Clerk’s office maintains vital records for residents who have served in the military and was successful in coordinating with other county agencies to locate the family of this fallen hero.
“As a heroic young man, Private First Class Floyd Mabb gave his life for our country during his WWII service. I’m honored that we could reunite his family with his Purple Heart Medal and provide additional information about his military service. Today is the culmination of a heartwarming story of community and exemplifies the importance of honoring the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who’ve served our Country. Our military members – past, present and future – provide Americans the greatest gift of all: freedom. And for that, we’re forever grateful,” Hayner said in a press release.
“The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors joins with County Clerk Craig Hayner in honoring Floyd Mabb, a Purple Heart Recipient. We pay tribute to his service and sacrifice on behalf of our County and our Nation,” added Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Kevin Tollisen.
“Private First Class Floyd M. Mabb’s nephew Lloyd has visited us often while researching his family history. I’m grateful to the community members, County Clerk’s Office and County Veterans Services Agency for their work in returning PFC Mabb’s
Purple Heart Medal to Lloyd and his family, as I understand how much this means to them. Floyd Mabb selflessly gave his life for our Country and I’m happy our community came together to give this symbol of his sacrifice back to his family,” Town of Milton Supervisor Scott Ostrander said in the release.
“Floyd Mabb of Ballston Spa represented that Greatest Generation of Americans who served during World War II and truly saved our world from darkness. This is a very special ceremony to reunite Private Mabb’s family with his Purple Heart 74 years after he lost his life serving in Belgium. I’m proud to honor Private Mabb posthumously for his service to our country and to present his family with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, the Senate’s highest honor, for his courage and heroic service to our state and grateful nation. Thanks to Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner and his office for their diligent and caring efforts to return Private Mabb’s Purple Heart to his family and ensure that the memory of his sacrifice and service lives on,” Senator Jim Tedisco said in the release.
“Today we reflect on the amazing story of how World War II Veteran and Army Private First Class Mabb’s Purple Heart was found and made its way back to his two nephews, Lloyd and William ‘Bud’ Helman. It is extremely fitting that this ceremony is taking place the week following National Purple Heart Day. The Purple Heart reminds us of the great sacrifices made by all of our military members, like Private First Class Mabb, who selflessly put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that our country was founded on. Thank you to the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office and the Veterans’ Service Agency for doing their due diligence and returning Private First Class Mabb’s Purple Heart Medal to its rightful owners. First Class Private Mabb was taken from us too soon, but his memory will continue to live on through this pin for years to come,” Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh added.
“Far too often, the stories of heroes like Floyd Mabb are lost to history,” Frank McClement, Director of the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency, said in the release. “We must never forget his sacrifice, and the sacrifice made by his family. It’s an honor to play a small part in recognizing the heroism of these paratroopers, and to see this Purple Heart returned to Floyd Mabb’s family, “said Frank McClement, Director of the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency.”