Maloney Presents Purple Heart in Honor of WWI Veteran

In a ceremony at the historic Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Society, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney presented a long overdue military honor to the family of World War I veteran Corporal William B. Tiebout.The Purple Heart is one of the oldest and most recognized American military medals, awarded to service members who were killed or wounded by enemy action.

Corporal Tiebout enlisted in the United States Army and was wounded in action June 28, 1918 in Belgium, where he sustained shrapnel wounds to the legs. He was subsequently wounded in the right leg in a field hospital by a strafing German aircraft. Corporal Tiebout was discharged on January 25, 1919 and received a Ypres-Lys Defensive Sector Medal. During War World II, Corporal Tiebout served as an aircraft inspector for the Navy at Grumman Aircraft Company in Bethpage, NY.

“95 years and 28 days after Corporal Tiebout was wounded in battle, we are finally honoring one of our nation’s heroes. Today serves as a testament to all those who fought and will fight for our nation -  no amount of time can ever diminish the debt we owe to all the brave men and women who serve and sacrifice in defense of our freedom,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, son of a Navy veteran.

"This ceremony is a fitting tribute to honor Corporal William Byers Tiebout, Jr. for his service and dedication to our country.  When his nation needed him he answered the call serving bravely and with distinction.  From his tour with the Mexican Border Service, his time spent in Europe during World War I with the Army and his civilian work with the Navy during World War II, Corporal Tiebout time and again put his country first and today we formally thank him and his family for all their sacrifices,” said New York State Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson).

"I'm very pleased that Mr. Tiebout and his family will receive the recognition he deserves for his great service. Although no longer with us, It's important that we shine a light on people like Mr. Tiebout as a reminder of all that we owe our veterans and their families for their sacrifices," said New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam). "I commend Congressman Maloney for his efforts and share with him a strong commitment to support our veterans and military families."

“Although our country can never fully repay the courageous sacrifices of veterans like Corporal William Tiebout, we honor and recognize his distinguished and selfless service to protecting our great nation, and appreciate Congressman Maloney's efforts to always remember,” said Assemblyman Frank Skartados (D-Milton).

“The sacrifices of brave veterans like Corporal William Tiebout protect our great nation and the freedoms we value. While I’m saddened that Corporal Tiebout wasn’t able to receive this recognition in his lifetime, it is with the utmost respect and gratitude that I thank his family for his noble service and congratulate them on the receipt of his richly deserved Purple Heart,” said Assemblyman James Skoufis (D-Woodbury).

"Our country owes a great debt to the heroes like William Tiebout, who selflessly risked their lives to protect our freedoms. Today our country is recognizing that bravery by presenting Mr. Tiebout's Purple Heart to his son. It is important that we recognize generations past for their service as we welcome back today's returning veterans," said Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor (R,C,I - Fishkill).

Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Society is located at 84 Liberty St. in Newburgh, New York and is where General George Washington created and awarded the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart.   The West Point Band, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the 106th Regiment all participated in the ceremony.

Biography of Corporal William Byers Tiebout, Jr.

William Byers Tiebout, Jr. was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 3, 1893 and passed away July 9, 1977.  William enlisted in the National Guard of the United States on June 21, 1916 at age 22. He served with the Mexican Border Service where he reached the rank of Lance Corporal. He was discharged August 5, 1917. When he was in the National Guard, the Army continued his enlistment back to June 21, 1916.

He enlisted in the United States Army as a Corporal on May 10, 1918 and with Company I, 106 Infantry, 27th Division. Corporal Tiebout was wounded in action June 28, 1918 in Belgium, where he sustained shrapnel wounds to the legs. He was subsequently wounded in the right leg in a field hospital by a strafing German aircraft. Corporal Tiebout was discharged on January 25, 1919 and received a Ypres-Lys Defensive Sector Medal. The Purple Heart was not issued at this time for wounds received.

During War World II Corporal Tiebout served as an aircraft inspector for the Navy at Grumman Aircraft Company in Bethpage, NY. At the end of WWII he retired from the Civil Service. With the help of the first GI Bill, Corporal Tiebout graduated from Connecticut Agricultural College with a degree in Animal Husbandry.  Following graduation, he managed the farm at Arnold College in Willimantic, CT. 

On October 26, 1920 he married Dorothy C. Nathan. They raised 4 children together: William, Dorothy, Leah and Ernest.  At the beginning of the depression, Arnold College closed and the family settled in Baldwin, NY.  In his retirement, he enjoyed the company of his loving wife, 4 married children, 13 grandchildren, and his favorite dog. Laddie. Over the years he and the family spent many happy hours at Valley View Farm in Sherman, CT, where he is buried in Colburn Cemetery.