For Joseph J. Hanson, waiting over 60 years to receive the Purple Heart has been a long time, but now the World War II veteran and Franklin Square resident has received the well-deserved distinction.

"I really gave up on it but my children made me get it," said Hanson from his residence on Martha Place.

With the perseverance of his sons Gerry and Billy and his daughter Anne, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy recently presented Hanson with the Purple Heart, which he earned on January 6, 1944.

While in service, a German mine exploded at Metz, France. The blast killed two men and injured several others including Staff Sergeant Hanson, who was stationed there as a P-47 crew chief with the 395th Fighter Squadron.

Although Hanson was struck with shrapnel in his head, he was overlooked for the Purple Heart, which is awarded for wounds received as an act of an opposing force, even though four other men received it for the same event. "At the time, I had gone to the latrine and then when I came back, everybody was gone and nobody would listen me," he said.

Born and raised in Brooklyn along with his wife Gertrude, they met after his time in the service and moved to Mineola where they lived for 25 years, raising their children there. For the past seven years, Gertrude and Joseph have lived in Franklin Square.

"I'm proud of my service. I was helping my country and all. I was glad to get out of the service but not without the Purple Heart. But now I got the Purple Heart so I'm happy," said Hanson, who also received the Bronze Star twice.

The Hanson family obtained copies of official documents substantiating their father's wartime wounds from 368th historian Tim Grace, PhD, who was recently featured on the History Channel as narrator and expert on P-47s and their tremendous contribution to the war effort. Dr. Grace wrote Second To None: The History of the 368th Fighter Group, published in 2006.

Hanson's family credits Dr. Grace's book, veteran Ken Kik's Website www.368thFighterGroup.com and a written recommendation from Hanson's commanding officer, retired General Tote Talbot, for this award ceremony taking place.

To learn more about the 368th Fighter group or purchase a copy of Second To None: The History of the 368th Fighter Group log on to www.368thFighterGroup.com.