Associated Press Published

After 47 Years Morgan County Man Awarded Purple Heart

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Nearly 47 years after being injured in a land mine explosion in Vietnam, a West Virginia veteran has finally been awarded the Purple Heart.
67 year old Douglas Lyall of Morgan County, received the medal earlier this month after the U.S. Army Board for Correction of Military Records issued a decision finding there was sufficient evidence showing he was injured in a hostile act in Vietnam and entitled to the medal.  

In the fall of 1968, Lyall was 20 years old and serving in South Vietnam when his armored personnel carrier was struck by a land mine.  He was treated at a military hospital but Lyall’s injuries were not noted in Army records, creating a major impediment to his being awarded the Purple Heart.

Lyall received his medal by mail on July 10.