Vet told to buy own Purple Heart

Aug. 21, 2007, 2:58PM
Vet told to buy own Purple Heart gets it for free


By RICHARD STEWART
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

PEARLAND ?- This time, Nyles Reed didn't have to pay for his Purple Heart medal.
Monday, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn awarded him the medal, saying it is "embarrassing" Reed was ever told he'd have to pay $42 to get his own.

The 75-year-old retired salesman got a standing ovation at a packed luncheon of the Pearland and Alvin Chambers of Commerce.

Navy officials notified him a couple of weeks ago that he had qualified for the medal 55 years ago as a Marine sergeant in Korea.

The medals were out of stock, officials told him in a letter. He got a nice certificate, but was told that if he wanted a medal to go with it, he'd have to either buy his own or reapply in 90 days.

Cornyn, R-Texas, said no combat veteran should have to pay for his own medals, and his staff made sure Reed got a medal provided by the federal government.

The medal Reed received Monday does create a problem. Reed already has a Purple Heart he bought at a Houston military goods store.

Reed said he took his certificate to the store to prove he was entitled to the award, but was amazed to find out all he needed was the $42.

"I've heard of people having medals they aren't entitled to. Maybe they'll take it back and refund my money," Reed said with a grin.

Back on June 22, 1952, Reed was heading for an artillery observation post near Panmunjom when a Chinese artillery shell blew his Jeep over, causing a deep gash in his cheek.

Reed went to a nearby aid station and got about 10 stitches in his wound. He still has the scar beneath his left eye.

"All I knew was that the Chinese were attacking, and they needed me at that observation post," he said.

His Jeep turned out to be as tough as he was. After it was put back up on its wheels, it took Reed to the observation post.

Because he didn't stick around at the aid station long enough to give anybody his name, there were no official records of his wound.

After seeing other veterans getting medals decades after they were in combat, Reed decided about three years ago to try to get his Purple Heart. "I had a couple of buddies who are still around who knew what happened, and they helped me," Reed said.

The heart-shaped medal was established in 1932 to honor members of the military wounded or killed during enemy action.

Reed said he wrote members of Congress, the secretary of defense and even the president.

"The most help I got was from Cornyn's office," he said.

He said he was deluged with letters of support after a story in the Houston Chronicle last week about Reed being told he would have to buy his own medal. "Some people even sent me checks to pay for the medal," he said.

"I'm especially proud of having this for my family," Reed said. He and his wife, Frances, have three children, eight grandchildren and eight great-granchildren.

He said he often wears a cap proclaiming he's a veteran.

"You know, they often call that the forgotten war," Reed said. "As long as I'm around it won't be forgotten."