Provided/U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Phillip Wong.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – For the last 12 years, American Legion Post 469 has provided a weeklong, all-expense-paid vacation for an American Wounded Warrior who has served their country with distinction. All of the honorees have overcame their wounds of war and many of them have returned to the battlefront after their first wounds healed. Others patriots are still dealing with the injuries sustained while performing their duties on behalf of all Americans.
This year, the Legion will provide all the lodging, transportation, sustenance, entertainment, and special events to ensure an unforgettable visit for U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Phillip Wong and his family. Wounded Warrior Week will be held Sept. 12-19 to welcome Wong to his home-away-from-home in Longport.
Wong was nominated by the U.S. Special Operations Command for not only distinguishing himself during training, assignments and meritorious service, but also during his recovery from his battle overcoming malaria and encephalitis he contracted while he was deployed in Liberia.
Fong enlisted in the Navy in 2002, served on the frigate USS Reuben James, then the Joint Mobile Ashore Support Team in Sigonella, Italy, where his unit supported Presidential Missions. He earned several awards and was promoted to First Class Petty Officer. He was deployed to Liberia in 2008, where he contracted cerebral malaria and encephalitis, a deadly disease combination with lingering effects.
His rehabilitation at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethseda, Maryland lasted a year. Afterward, he continued to serve in various deployments around the world, where he led teams in Joint Combined Exchange Training.
His command selected him as Sailor of the Year in 2012. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer that same year.
Fong is a remarkable athlete to competed in numerous athletic events, including as a member of Team USSOCOM in DOD Warrior Games in 2018-2018, where he competed in powerlifting, rowing, shot put and discus. He represented Team USA during the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia, and in the 2019 Invictus Games in the Netherlands, where he earned Gold and Bronze medals for rugby and rowing.
For information about how you can support the Wounded Warrior Week campaign, contact Pacentrilli at 609-513-3578 or lapace@comcast.net.
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