SFC David Hack’s Purple Heart Certificate for injuries suffered as a result of a rocket attack at Lai Khe, Viet Nam on April 10th 1968 was not issued until September 20th 1979.
Sgt. Hack’s military records accurately noted this award and combat injuries; however, the actual certificate was not received until 11 years after the action. In 2011, SFC David Hack USA (Ret) requested from Congressman Steve LaTourette of Ohio his medals he had not received.
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 enemy. 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.
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Sgt. Hack,
First let me express my sincerest, heartfelt gratitude for your service and sacrifice. You and all the men and women who served our country in Viet Nam have my deepest respect. My late brother, USMC Pfc Thomas A. Cooper was also awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star, but his records were supposedly lost in a fire after he returned home and was discharged. He suffered from extreme PTSD and was never treated for it. Instead, he self-medicated with alcohol and was unable to sleep a single night of his life unless he was drunk. He died of lung cancer 08 Mar 2001 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. I hope your life post-Vietnam has been better.