SAN ANGELO, Texas - On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, a San Angelo Vietnam Veteran was recognized for his service and wounds sustained in combat.

Lyle Johnson served in the Army from June 2, 1964 to May 28, 1966. He was injured on November 19, 1965 from shrapnel from a grenade in Vietnam. He received the Purple Heart for his bravery but later lost the medal after various moves. During the ceremony, that medal was replaced. Diane Gaitan, TVC Patient Advocate, was able to identify that the medal had been lost and began the process of getting it replaced.

"On November 19, 1965, Lyle faced the chaos of war with unwavering courage, confronting dangers that many of us can only imagine. He endured the harrowing reality of combat, sustaining shrapnel wounds to the left side of his body—a visible emblem of his bravery. Yet, these physical wounds merely scratch the surface of the deeper, invisible scars—the burdens of memory, trauma, and isolation—that linger long after the guns have gone silent," Luis Martinez III, MSW, VRRS II, Veterans Resource Coordinator for the Texas Veterans Leadership Program for Workforce Solutions of the Concho Valley and Permian Basin said.

Martinez, also a veteran and Purple Heart recipient, addressed the crowd inside of the Workforce Solutions building where they gathered to honor Johnson.

"If it were not for the struggles you faced, Lyle, and the immense adversity you overcame, veterans like myself would not be standing here today. Your courage paved the way for us, and for that, we are eternally grateful. The veterans of today owe our lives, our freedom, and our ability to return home to our families partly to your sacrifices," Martinez stated in his speech.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President. It is a distinguished military decoration awarded to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

"Overall, the Purple Heart resonates with themes of honor, sacrifice, and community support for those who serve. Holding a Purple Heart is both an honor and a weight I carry with me every day. It serves as a tangible reminder of the bravery and sacrifices made—both on the battlefield and in the lives that were forever altered by war. But for us, it is not just a medal; it represents the pain of losing loved ones who fought valiantly, only to face struggles that haunted them long after they returned home," Martinez said.

Johnson was awarded his replacement Purple Heart Medal as well as a 50th Anniversary Commemoration lapel pin.

"Lyle, receiving the Purple Heart represents more than just an honor; it is a testament to the resilience and spirit of a generation that endured separation, hardship, and rejection. This medal is not only a recognition of your bravery in combat but also a symbol of the unyielding will it takes to confront the emotional battles that resonate long after the shot has been fired," Martinez said.

Johnson's niece, Tammy Johnson, was also in attendance representing family members who also make sacrifices during and after their loved ones serve in the armed forces.

"Today, we honor you, we celebrate you, and we embrace you as a part of our family, finally welcoming you home, where you belong," Martinez concluded.

In the photos:

Diane Gaitan, TVC Patient Advocate, pinned Purple Heart on Johnson.

Zachary Peterson, TVC Rural Career Advisor, pinned Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemoration lapel pin on Johnson.

Desirae Brown Concho Valley Workforce Solutions Military Family Support Liaison pinned Blue Star Family lapel pin on Johnson's niece, Tammy Johnson.

Kathy Keane with Congressman Pfluger's Office presented US flag flown over DC and Pfluger challenge coin.

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/local-news/san-angelo-vietnam-veterans-purple-heart-medal-replaced-after-being-lost-for-years/