Joe Green had his Purple Heart mailed to him at an Army field hospital in England in 1944 as he lay recovering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
No ceremony and no recognition. But years later that didn’t bother the 88-year-old Colorado native.
“I’ve been a bartender, press machine operator, and I was a suit salesman at Sears for 37 years, so the Army is just a small part,” Green said.
But on Saturday night, the chairman of the Forgotten Heroes Campaign, Brig. Gen. Sal Vallino, pinned a Purple Heart to Green’s chest at a ceremony held at Union Station, which was attended by many veterans, Green’s family and Mayor John Hickenlooper.
The Forgotten Heroes Campaign awards lost medals to veterans and holds military ceremonies for veterans who didn’t get them.
Sgt. Robert Paxton was honored with his service medals, and campaign co-founder Ken Gaunt was recognized as well.
In a separate event Friday, the Denver-based Greatest Generations Foundation also awarded medals to Staff Sgt. Elmer “Lucky” McGinty and Staff Sgt. Shep Waldman for their heroics during World War II.
Cassie Hewlings: 303-954-1638 or chewlings@denverpost.com
