Vietnam vet earns 'long overdue' Purple Heart

Photo: Kayla Collins

PURPLE HEART — Stephen Louis Andrews, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran from Harrison, awaits his presentation of the Purple Heart medal from U.S. Senator Susan Collins on January 17 at the Harrison VFW. 

Photo: Kayla Collins

HONORED — Maine National Guard Chief of Staff Colonel John Jansen, left, and representatives from the VFW and Auxiliary joined U.S. Senator Susan Collins, far left, at the Ronald G. St. John VFW post in Harrison, January 17, to present Stephen Louis Andrews, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, right, with his Purple Heart medal. Andrews served in the U.S. Army 2nd Battalion of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, during the Vietnam conflict. Andrews was honorably discharged on December 16, 1967, nine months after receiving a gunshot wound in his leg, which resulted in a compound fracture to his fibula.

HARRISON —  A U.S. Army veteran, who was honorably discharged in 1967 during the Vietnam War, was honored by U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Maine National Guard Colonel John Jansen with a Purple Heart January 17. 

Stephen Louis Andrews, 66, of Harrison, served in the U.S. Army, 2nd Battalion of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, during the Vietnam conflict.

A ceremony was held at the Ronald G. St. John VFW Post 9328 in Harrison with some 100 friends, family and military veterans coming from surrounding towns, to honor Andrews and witness his receiving the medal. 

The ceremony began with a presentation of the colors by American Legion Memorial Post 155 of Naples, Casco and Raymond. It proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance by Commander Steven Wentworth of American Legion Post 139 and an opening prayer by Chaplin Philip H. Denison. 

"We are well aware of the sacrifices of the days gone by, actions of which there is a poverty of words, but a plethora of experiences that are known and felt to this moment," Denison said. 

Andrews was honorably discharged on December 16, 1967 after taking a gunshot wound to his right leg during a "search and destroy mission" in Phu My, Vietnam. The wound resulted in a compound fracture to his fibula, according to Collins, a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. 

"Yet, only today, 46 years later, is he receiving the Purple Heart that he earned," she told the crowd. "I can't tell you how honored I am to be with you today as we celebrate such a great, but long overdue occasion." 

Originally, she said, the Army had denied Andrews' entitlement to the Purple Heart as not enough evidence could be provided pointing to the injury he sustained in combat.

During her speech, she thanked the Andrews family for their effort in bringing Andrews' case to her attention and for her staff in Augusta for their hard work in securing the medal he deserves. 

"But most of all, I want to thank Stephen Andrews. The Purple Heart medal ... is a powerful symbol of your courage, your devotion to duty and your sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation," Collins said. 

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War, she pointed out. She said her own father earned a Purple Heart for his service in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. 

"Across Maine and across America, we should pay tribute to the nine million men and women who wore our nation's uniform during the Vietnam era," she said. 

"The names of nearly 1,800 Americans remain unaccounted for, including 14 from Maine," Collins explained, "but their names are forever etched in our hearts. And none of them will ever be forgotten." 

Past Post Commander, Wayne Cadman, of VFW Post 9328, stood before the crowd to thank everyone for attending. He was pleased to see so many share in the recognition of Andrews "for an action in a war he believed was right; a war nobody wanted."

According to Peter Ogden, director of Maine's Bureau of Veterans' Services and a Vietnam veteran himself, Andrews is one of 46,000 veterans in Maine still living. 

Andrews was also presented with an American Flag that Collins had flown over the nation's Capital Building in his honor, as well as a Silver Star from the state of Maine and a Bronze Star, which he had received many years ago, but had misplaced. 

The Bronze Star, said Collins, is one of America's highest military honors for meritorious service in combat. In addition, the Silver Star is given to veterans wounded during combat and the Purple Heart is the oldest, but also one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces. 

Ogden said there are still thousands of veterans who have not received the Purple Heart recognition and urged the crowd to contact the Bureau of Veterans' Services if they know of a veteran deserving of it. 

Photo: Kayla Collins

ON DISPLAY —   An American flag, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and other awards and artifacts are displayed on a table during a Purple Heart ceremony for U.S. Army veteran Stephen L. Andrews at the Harrison VFW January 17.