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St. Peter, MN – In a heartfelt ceremony at Christ Chapel on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus, 96-year-old Earl “Sonny” Meyer of St. Peter, Minnesota, received his long-overdue Purple Heart. The honor, considered one of the most prestigious military decorations, was awarded to Meyer 73 years after he was wounded during the Korean War.
A Long-Awaited Honor
Meyer stood humbly in the chapel, surrounded by hundreds of spectators, including a U.S. senator, the senior enlisted adviser for the Minnesota National Guard, and all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Despite the grand turnout, Meyer remained modest, expressing that the Purple Heart represented his fallen comrades rather than himself.
In June 1951, while serving as a rifleman and machine-gunner, Meyer was struck by mortar shrapnel in his left thigh during a fierce battle in Korea. A medic treated him on the battlefield and promised to submit his name for the Purple Heart, but Meyer never saw the medic again, and the medal was never awarded.
Family and Advocacy
Meyer rarely spoke about his wartime experiences. His daughters only learned about his injury when his granddaughter interviewed him for a high school project. Determined to secure the recognition he deserved, Meyer’s family faced multiple rejections from the military due to a lack of evidence.
Support came from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office and Minneapolis attorney Alan Anderson, who advocated tirelessly on Meyer’s behalf. Anderson even sued the U.S. Department of Defense, emphasizing that this fight could help other veterans facing similar struggles with the Army Board for Correction of Military Records.
The Ceremony
The emotional ceremony featured a letter from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer, the Army’s highest-ranking noncommissioned officer, thanking Meyer for his perseverance. Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Rost of the Minnesota National Guard, who was born in Seoul and adopted by a Minnesota family, had the honor of pinning the Purple Heart to Meyer’s chest. Rost expressed deep personal gratitude, acknowledging that his life and service were made possible by the sacrifices of veterans like Meyer.
“Standing here today, over 73 years later, we have the opportunity and honor to recognize Corporal Earl ‘Sonny’ Meyer’s sacrifice in the summer of 1951, thousands of miles away, in a land that’s now a prosperous, democratic, and free country because of the sacrifices of men like Corporal Meyer,” Rost told the audience.
A Legacy of Sacrifice
As the Purple Heart was pinned to his chest, the audience erupted in applause, celebrating not just the medal, but Meyer’s enduring legacy and the recognition of his bravery and sacrifice. This ceremony serves as a poignant reminder of the valor and dedication of our veterans, and the importance of acknowledging their service, no matter how long it takes.
Earl “Sonny” Meyer’s story is a testament to the enduring spirit of our military heroes and the relentless pursuit of justice and recognition for their sacrifices. For more inspiring stories and updates on military honors, stay connected with our blog dedicated to supporting veterans and their families.
Source: Star Tribune
