Better late than never!World War II Vet and Brooklyn native Herbert Jawitz waited over six decades to straighten out his army records and in the process received long over due recognition fordecorations that were never awarded to him.
As a result of a bureaucratic bungle Jawitz’s records incorrectly stated that he served from 1942 to 1943 and not to the correct year of 1946. He wrote letters and called to no avail.He finally contacted Congressman Anthony Weiner’s office for help. Jawitz, said, “Before I died, I just wanted my service records to get straightened out. I called and wrote letters for two years but I couldn’t get any response. That’s why I called the Congressman’s office.”
A representative from Weiner’s office contacted the National Records Center and the Army Review Boards Agency Support Division and managed to correct the mistake as well as discover that Jawitz had earned six decorations that were never awarded to him.
To make it right, Weiner presented Jawitz at his home in Mill Basin, Brooklyn,the six decorations and a straightened out record this past Veterans Day.
He told Jawitz,“This is a long overdue tribute to Herbert Jawitz. I am honored to recognize a man who proudly wore the uniform of this country and courageously served our nation and his family.
