Southwestern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan joined Brigadier General William H. Graham yesterday at the Fort Hamilton Military Base to posthumously honor a A Brooklyn World War II hero with replacing and giving his two stolen Purple Hearts to his only surviving sibling.
Windsor Terrace native Lt. Andrew Doyle was born in Brooklyn on October 9, 1920. A graduate of Holy Name Grammar School in Windsor Terrace and from St. Francis Preparatory High School, he enlisted in the army in 1942.
As a bombardier, Doyle was deployed to the Pacific, when his plane was hit and he was seriously injured. After a two-month stay in the hospital, returned to active duty where on April 30, 1944, Lt. Doyle and the entire crew was reported missing in action. A search for the missing plane and crew commenced, and although a faint signal and flare were reported, the plane and crew were never found. On February 8, 1946, Doyle was declared dead. Doyle’s brother, Hugh Patrick Doyle, was also killed in action in Germany.
Doyle’s Purple Hearts were given to his sister, Ann Byrne, but were stolen in a random burglary several years ago. Byrne and her daughter, Maureen O’Neill, reached out to Donovan’s office to request replacement medals from the U.S. Army, which organized a formal presentation ceremony.
“When we think of ‘the Greatest Generation,’ we think of people like Lieutenant Andrew Doyle. There is no more fitting way to honor our veterans this week than to replace for Andrew’s family a symbol of his heroism and sacrifice,” said Donovan.
“It was my honor and pleasure to meet Andrew Doyle’s loved ones, especially his sister, Ann Byrne, who keeps the memory of Andrew and his brother, Hugh, alive in their family,” Brig. Gen. William Graham said. “It was a privilege to be able to present the medals, badges, and the Gold Star pin signifying a loved one lost in war to a family that truly understands service and sacrifice for country. Doing it the same week as Veterans Day gave it greater meaning and significance for all of us.”
Donovan expressed gratitude to Brig. General Graham and the Army for doing right by Ann and honoring her family’s sacrifice.
“Most of all, I’m grateful to Lieutenant Andrew Doyle. His sacrifice – and the sacrifice of so many other young men and women during those years of fear and uncertainty – should inspire us all this Veterans Day,” said Donovan.
