Vietnam Veteran Finally Gets Medal

In keeping with the personal stories vein of this blog's roots, I'd like to present a story that may be of interest to many readers. Especially those of my age who have a brotherhood with those that served during the time when the Cold War turned quite hot, Viet Nam.

Melvin Fields served in Viet Nam in 1968 as a helicopter gunner with 25 missions under his belt when a mortar round landed near his tent. The resultant wounds almost ended his life.

47 years later, with the help of a US Senator, Melvin finally received the Purple Heart medal due him for those wounds. His very supportive wife, Verdia, engaged Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark, who went to work and not only finalized the purple Heart award but discovered Melvin was due an Air Medal and the Cold War Certificate, which he presented at the same time.

The article goes on to explain the rough times Melvin endured after the war and the subsequent healing, physical and mental, over the years.

It is a story many Viet Nam Vets can relate to.

Please link over to read the full article here.

Senator Cotton presents the long overdue Purple Heart medal to Marvin Fields

Thank you to the Arkansas Online website of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper for allowing us to link to the article.