NEW YORK-Coast Guard Captain Daniel Croce presents the American flag to Jacqueline Goldstein during military honors at Wittek's burial in Montefiore Cemetery, Queens, N.Y., Dec. 31, 20009.Wittek, a Coast Guard World War II veteran involved in extinguishing a fire aboard a munitions ship in New York Harbor on April 24, 1943, died at the age of 88 Dec. 30, 2009.Wittek was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal last year for volunteering to board the S.S. El Estero, which was carrying 1,360 tons of high explosive bombs and munitions. The actions of Wittek and his Coast Guard shipmates averted what would have been a massive explosion causing immense damage to New York and New Jersey.(U.S. Coast Guard Photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Johnson)
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