After a 46-year delay, Larry Burton received a Purple Heart Wednesday for his actions during the Vietnam War.
Burton’s paperwork never made it to where it needed to go for him to receive the medal in a timely fashion, but that error was corrected this week.
Burton was a Private first class (PFC) in the Army serving with Company B 2nd Battalion (Airborne) 506th Infantry on July 22, 1968 when he was injured while resupplying ammunition to two platoons that were taking fire.
The report of the incident says Burton was injured several times but continued to move forward until he lost consciousness.
The medal was presented to Burton Wednesday during a Veterans Day luncheon held by Lindsey Wilson College. VFW Post 6097 Commander Joe Hare introduced Burton and shared Burton’s story with the large crowd.
“The wrong is righted,” Hare said about Burton finally receiving the medal.
A full report of the luncheon will be featured in the Nov. 20 issue of the Community Voice.
