The family of a World War II veteran was posthumously presented with a Purple Heart in his honor Monday in St. Petersburg, Florida.
According to a Coast Guard release, Commanding Officer of Sector St. Petersburg Capt. Matthew Thompson presented the medal to Anabel Antonsanti-Weis and her family on behalf of her late father, Seaman 1st Class Arturo Antonsanti.
Antonsanti was aboard the USS Leopold on March 9, 1944 when it was attacked by a German submarine. He was one of 28 crewmen who survived the attack. A total of 171 lost their lives.
Antonsanti died in 2008. Purple Hearts were approved for the survivors by the Coast Guard commandant in November of 2011.
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Reach Julia LeDoux: Julia@connectingvets.com
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