Earl Brannon (Source: Americal Division Veterans Association)ATLANTA, GA (News release) -
More than 40
years after he served his country as a combat medic with the U.S. Army's 23rd,
or "Americal," Infantry Division in Vietnam, Tenaha resident Earl Brannon
received the Silver Star for his heroism in that conflict.
Surrounded by
his wife, family members, and men who served with him in Vietnam, including Jim Pene who helped save Brannon, the wheel
chair-bound Brannon was awarded the United States' third highest award for
valor during a solemn ceremony at the Americal Division Veterans Association Reunion in Atlanta, Ga. on Sept.
15.
Brannon was
issued the award for saving the lives of fellow soldiers by venturing into the
minefield where they were injured in 1970. In the process, he was severely
wounded himself.
"Brannon was
never aware that he had been nominated for the award, and through government
oversight during many years of hospitalization for his severe wounds, the award
never reached him," a press release stated.
Copyright 2012 KTRE.
All rights reserved.
