Captain Joseph Bertagna was inducted into the Hall of Valor Sunday at a reception at Soldiers… Captain Joseph Bertagna was inducted into the Hall of Valor Sunday at a reception at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall.

Since 1963, 325 Western Pennsylvanians have been admitted into the Hall of Valor. All of these individuals are recipients of a Silver Star, a Distinguished Flying Cross or a Medal of Honor. They also must have applied for the honor, according to Soldiers and Sailors CEO Ron Gancas.

Bertagna, who recruits Pitt students into a Marine Corps program similar to ROTC, was a pilot in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. On July 19, 2003, Bertagna assisted wounded ground troops by flying his AV-8B Harrier airplane low to the ground and attacking enemy insurgents. He made arrangements for a medical evacuation for those who were injured. For this incident, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, which made him eligible for the Hall of Valor.

“It was an honor and my first reaction is to shy away from recognition like this because there are a lot of Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan right now that the focus should be on, but this will be nice to look back on in the future,” Bertagna said.

Bertagna was inducted at the Federation of War Veterans Societies, Inc. of Allegheny County’s annual Veterans Day dinner.