Congressman Nick LaLota Presents Purple Heart to Vietnam Veteran Daniel Knote of Riverhead
ROCKY POINT, NY - Today, Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County), a Navy Veteran, presented Army Veteran and Riverhead resident Daniel Knote with his Purple Heart during a ceremony at the VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point, NY.
"As a Navy Veteran, it is an incredible privilege to help right this wrong for Army Specialist Daniel Knote. Daniel displayed extraordinary courage in Vietnam when he ran toward enemy fire to save a fellow soldier, suffering wounds that earned him the Purple Heart. Yet for nearly 58 years, his military record failed to properly reflect that sacrifice. When Daniel turned to my office for help, my casework team worked with the Army to locate the original orders and finally ensure he received the recognition he had earned decades ago. Our job is to serve those who served us, and there is no greater honor than helping deliver long-overdue justice to an American hero." said LaLota.
“Our Congressman not only fights for us here on Long Island, but I’ve been reading about all the money that comes back to our community. The work his office does for Veterans is just incredible. And at the Congressman’s office, when you call, they answer the phone,” said Knote.
Background:
Daniel Knote is a Riverhead resident and father of five who worked for the LIRR for more than 30 years and the Federal Railroad Administration for 20 years. He served honorably in the U.S. Army from June 1967 to June 1973.
On February 27, 1968, while serving in South Vietnam, Daniel’s company came under attack by elements of the North Vietnamese Army. When one of his fellow soldiers was wounded, Daniel moved toward the danger to try to save his fallen comrade. In doing so, Daniel was himself struck by enemy fire, taking a bullet to his right thigh. Despite his wound, he pulled himself back to safety rather than risk the lives of other soldiers who might have been sent to rescue him.
The official order announcing his Purple Heart award was issued on May 20, 1968, but as Mr. Knote explains, he was unaware that this award was not reflected in his records until he began pursuing medical care through the VA decades later. After asking several federal agencies for assistance directly and making no progress, Mr. Knote learned that Congressman LaLota's office assists veterans with VA and military records matters. He contacted LaLota’s office and the Congressman’s casework team initiated work on February 17, 2026. With their intervention, the Department of the Army confirmed on April 2, 2026, a mere 44 days later, that they had located the original order granting Mr. Knote the Purple Heart. This allowed Congressman LaLota to formally recognize Mr. Knote with this long-deserved honor.
For his actions on February 27, 1968, Mr. Knote also received a Bronze Star with a “V” device indicating the award was earned for acts of heroism involving direct participation in combat with an enemy. His other military distinctions include the Vietnam Service Medal and a Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Also in attendance at the Rocky Point ceremony were representatives from the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 417, members of the Rocky Point Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 6249, Daniel Knote and his family, friends and colleagues from the LIRR.
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