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Army veteran Jerry Tempesta honored for valor in Vietnam

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On Sept. 27 in the Chapel of the Four Chaplains at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, in a ceremony attended by high-ranking officers of the U.S Army, veteran Jerry Tempesta received The Bronze Star for Valor and the Pennsylvania Cross of Valor for his heroism and valor in Vietnam.

It was April 2, 1970, when Tempesta saved his platoon leader’s life and took out an enemy position with a hand grenade. He was shot in the head, and the cost to him included a traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress syndrome, hearing loss, tinnitus, memory issues and vertigo.

He came home a changed man, taking a job at the Navy Yard, and eventually found new purpose in the world of music, singing tenor in various doo-wop groups.

From left: Penn and Franklin Chapter of the Association of the United States Army Vice president Dave Gillespie; Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ret. Tom Campbell; Army Maj. Gen. State of Pennsylvania Laura A. McHugh; Carol Tempesta; Army Spec 4 Jerry Tempesta; and Major Gen. John D. Kline.

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