An injured Vietnam veteran who lost his Purple Heart nearly 50 years ago in Japan received a replacement Thursday.

Army Spc. Paul DeRogatis Jr., 69, was presented with the replacement medal in New Windsor.

DeRogatis, who is from Washingtonville, was awarded the Purple Heart in 1969 after he was injured by mortar fire, but lost it while being transferred from a hospital overseas.

The veteran says Thursday’s event reminded him of those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"And the ones that didn't make it home. I pray for them every night and still remember the guys that didn't make it home. I can't imagine what their families went through," he says.

DeRogatis was rescued by a fellow soldier who later died from exposure to Agent Orange.