A Purple Heart Ceremony was held June 30 2011. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world. It was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the ememy. It is specifically a combat decoration. SFC David D. Hack (US Army Retired, CEO of US Wings) was presented with the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he received during the Vietnam War. Presenting the medals were Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH), LTG (R) Robert Wagner USA (Ret), and Bill Willoughby (Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army OH-N).
Sgt. Hack earned two Purple Hearts during his tour, which were noted in his DD-214 file, but due to military oversight he never received the actual medals. Sgt. Hack was wounded the first time on April 10th 1968 in a rocket attack. He was wounded the second time September 13th 1968. Sgt. Hack’s Vietnam service ended in 1968. 43 years later, he finally received his Purple Heart (along with a Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, and an Army Recruiter Badge).
The Purple Heart Ceremony was held in front of the Hudson Village Green bandstand in downtown Hudson, Ohio.
For more information please CLICK on:
Leave a Reply