Sachem Alum's Military Medals Stolen, Army No Help

The last thing Jeff DeRosa expected was to be in a fight with the U.S. Army after 20 years of serving his country.

The Sachem alum, upon returning from Germany, received his belongings at his Holtsville home, but one thing was missing: 20 years worth of service medals, including a Bronze Star and his Expeditionary Medals for service in Afghanistan and Bosnia, and his grandfather’s Purple Heart, given to him after he was shot by Nazi’s in World War II. They were stolen from his personal belongings in transition to the states.

"I started opening the last boxes, which is where my awards and decorations were in, I felt, like my stomach dropped,” he told ABC news. “I couldn't believe it.”

According to DeRosa, there are some leads in Germany to who may have stolen the medals.

"It's narrowed down to who might have had access to my shipment," he said.

DeRosa saw action in Kuwait, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, and was told he could pay the $5-$10 per medal for replacements, but has received nothing but standard red tape and little help with the situation.

"No one joins the army to get rich," he said. "People put themselves in this position and part of the reason is the recognition we receive, not for me, but for my family. I don’t have anything to leave to my family. I intended to give these to my draughters. To have that stolen from me is pretty devastating."

To see a full ABC report about DeRosa's lost medals, click here.