A 57-year‑old award was presented to Specialist 4 Raymond Williams at the Pentagon in July 2026, nearly six decades after he was wounded by an AK‑47 round in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Williams, who retired from the Army Reserve in 1976, had not received the medal during his service. His daughter, Kelly Williams, filed the paperwork with the National Personnel Records Center in 2025, and the medal arrived in May. Army Master Sergeant Virginia Crutchfield coordinated the ceremony, securing a Pentagon location and arranging refreshments. Retired Army Major‑General Phillip Churn Sr. presented the Purple Heart, while Williams’ grandson, Fynn, delivered a speech about honor and sacrifice. Williams described the ceremony as “closure.”
© U.S. Government.
Summary adapted from https://war.gov
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