Meet the Veterans Day Honoree

While deployed with the U.S. Army in Yon Chon, North Korea, in September 1952, lifelong Glen Cove resident Ben Farnan's reconnaissance unit was ambushed by Chinese soldiers. Separated from their leader, the group's lives were instantly put in the hands of the then 20-year-old soldier.

Mayor Ralph Suozzi and the City of Glen Cove will be honoring Farnan for his bravery and dedication to service at the at 11 a.m. Friday in front of the Doughboy Monument, next to the .

While serving, Farnan, who would later become the commissioner of Glen Cove's Public Safety, took charge of the patrol under enemy fire and moved his soldiers from a water ravine to higher ground.

"The Chinese threw a grenade at us," he said. "None of us were hurt, but we were blown back. We moved up to cover, and from there, we sustained ourselves, and our lives."

Farnan was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his selfless act. He also received the Silver Star, when he recovered a wounded soldier from the middle of a mine field in the Chorwon Valley with a daring strategy.

"I made my footsteps big enough so a medic could follow with a stretcher," he said.

His medals have, since, been lost, and records were destroyed in a fire. They are currently being sought after by U.S. Rep. Peter King.