Humphrey awarded Purple Heart

For some, Vietnam is just a name in the news. For David G. Humphrey, it is an unforgettable memory of being injured in the jungle by a "booby trap" when he was just 19 years old.

And now, 47 years later, Humphrey, 66, of Pea Ridge, received the Purple Heart medal.

Humphrey was previously awarded:

Foreign Awards:

• Vietnam Campaign medal w/1960 device

• Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry, Cross w/Palm and Frame) ribbon bar

• Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Action Color w/Palm and Frame) ribbon bar

• Combat Action ribbon

And, on Friday, he was awarded:

• Purple Heart medal

• National Defense Service medal

• Vietnam Service medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars

He was one of several veterans honored by U.S. Senator John Boozman Friday in Van Buren. Formerly from Camden, Ark., Humphrey worked and retired as a firefighter. He and his family moved to Pea Ridge in 1992.

"Me and two other guys were on patrol. It was a booby trap; now they call the IEDs," Humphrey said, recalling that the man in front of him was injured and the man behind him was killed. They were first taken to Da Nang for temporary medical care and then sent to the hospital in Guam, where he spent two months recovering before being sent stateside.

Humphrey said he joined the Marines in 1968 not long after graduating from high school. In fact, he turned 19 on the way to Vietnam. He served 14 months and after he was wounded, took an early out. He was honorably discharged in August 1969.

"I felt lucky to be out alive and in once piece," he said. Humphrey sustained burns over much of his body, he said, as well as shrapnel wounds to his legs and a cut on his elbow.

"I thought I was hurt bad until I saw some of those guys in Guam," he said, recalling his stay in the Naval hospital in Guam.

Humphrey said you don't hear much about Vietnam or Korea.

"It's just like it's a forgotten deal. I felt like it was my obligation, my duty to serve," he said, adding that the draft was going "pretty hard and heavy" in 1968.

"Mr. Humphrey," Sen. Boozman said, "we thank you for answering the call and for your sacrifice in service to our country."

Sen. Boozman presented medals to five living veterans and then the families of two additional veterans were honored posthumously.

"When I got released from the hospital, the last thing on my mind was medals," he said. "I guess I just put it off all these years."

He said there were World War II veterans who received medals Saturday, too. He had previously received several foreign awards and received three medals Friday.

Community on 03/30/2016