Harvey Possinger
Jan. 1, 1921 - May 25, 2006

Harvey Possinger, of Stroud Township, died at Beverly Health Care Center in Scranton following a long period of frail health. He was the second-most decorated veteran of the war.

Decorated local WW II veteran dies

"A great man who gave so much for his country."

Harvey Possinger received 26 medals throughout his distinguished career.  The only man to receive more (27) was Audie Murphy.

Harvey Possinger, who lived most of his life in Monroe County, earned dozens of medals for bravery — including five Purple Hearts — as a machine-gunner and litter-bearer in the Pacific Theater in World War II.

He is credited with saving the lives of many wounded men while under enemy fire. He was supposed to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor after he was wounded, for the fifth time in three years of service, while rescuing six wounded men during heavy fighting in the Philippines. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for that effort. 

Click here to read the resolution that should have given him his medal

From the Pocono Record
About the Photo: President George W. Bush waves to the crowd assembled at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre after shaking hands with veteran Harvey Possinger of Stroud Township in Oct. 2004.	About the Photo: Harvey Possinger speaks to students during a Veterans Day event at Pleasant Valley High School in Nov. 2003.	About the Photo: Decorated World War II veteran Harvey Possinger in his house in Stroud Township in Dec. 2003.