WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) introduced the PFC Garfield M. Langhorn Memorial Semipostal Stamp to Benefit our Veterans Act, which would create a semipostal stamp in honor of PFC Langhorn. A semipostal stamp is a stamp sold at a premium price, which covers the cost of postage and donates the excess money to a nationally recognized cause.
The excess money from the PFC Langhorn stamp would go to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), a Department of Veterans Affairs program that offers assistance to very low-income veteran families who are in the process of transitioning to permanent housing. This program provides grants to private nonprofits that provide services to promote housing stability for veteran families.
“In his final heroic act, 20-year-old PFC Langhorn selflessly sacrificed his own life to save his fellow soldiers, throwing himself on a live grenade to save his platoon mates,” said Congressman Zeldin. “For his extraordinary act of bravery, he received a series of awards, including the highest, most prestigious personal military decoration - the Medal of Honor, and, most recently, the Riverhead Post Office was dedicated in his name. However, there is no better way to honor PFC Langhorn than remembering his sacrifice and continuing to give back to our nation’s brave servicemen and women. It is only fitting that this legislation to honor his memory also helps provide additional funding to veterans in need.”
On January 15, 1969, PFC Langhorn’s unit was returning from the attempted rescue of a downed American helicopter when North Vietnamese forces surrounded them. Under the cover of darkness, the North Vietnamese began to advance, throwing a hand grenade in front of 20-year-old PFC Langhorn who was just a few feet from his injured comrades. PFC Langhorn unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, scooped it beneath his body and absorbed the blast, saving his fellow platoon mates.
For his sacrifice and service to our nation, PFC Langhorn received the Purple Heart and the highest and most prestigious personal military decoration - the Medal of Honor. PFC Langhorn is the only Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient from Suffolk County. Most recently, in 2010, the Riverhead Post Office was named in his honor.
In 2019, Congressman Lee Zeldin was joined by the United States Postal Service, PFC Langhorn Memorial Committee, local elected officials, local veterans and veterans’ organizations, and the family and friends of PFC Langhorn at the Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn Post Office in Riverhead to honor his bravery, sacrifice, and service to his country following the 50th anniversary of his falling in the line of duty.
Original source can be found here.
