JACKSON, NJ – Every night the New York Yankees play a home game at Yankee Stadium, they honor a U.S. veteran. On Friday, that veteran was Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Frank Mascitelli.
Mastictelli was honored at the stadium during the 7th inning stretch in the Yankees’ home game against the Baltimore Orioles. The stadium was at full capacity as many came to see Aaron Judge try to hit home run number 62 for the American League single-season home run record. Judge now has 61, tying Roger Maris, who hit 61 home runs in 1961, 61 years ago.
During his tour of duty in Vietnam, he was a highly decorated warrior who earned three Purple Hearts and two Army commendation medals for acts of valor and heroism in combat.
Mascitelli is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Masictelli is a 1966 graduate of Belleville High School, and he is a member of Belleville Education Foundation’s Wall of Recognition, inducted in 2021. He achieved the rank of specialist in the U.S. Army.
HIs brother Gary graduated high school in 1967 and also served in Vietnam.