Veteran of World War II awarded Purple Heart 81 years after being injured in the Rhine

Veteran Finally Receives Purple Heart After 80 Years

After waiting for over 80 years, a wounded World War II veteran from Kentucky has finally been recognized with a significant military honor, the Purple Heart.

Glenn Fisher, who is now 99 years old, believed he had earned this commendation while fighting against Nazi Germany during the war. On Wednesday, he received the medal during a ceremony at the Frazier Historical Museum in Louisville.

“I’m so excited I can hardly sleep at night thinking about all the wonderful things happening,” Fisher shared. “There were moments I would wake up wondering, ‘Is this for real?’ And it is!”

This Purple Heart is awarded to U.S. service members who are injured or killed by enemy action. Fisher received it just months shy of his 100th birthday, following numerous attempts to have his wartime injuries acknowledged over the years.

Fisher’s journey to receive the honor was fraught with challenges. He joined the Army in 1943 at the young age of 16 with his parents’ permission. He arrived in France at Utah Beach and was wounded during an attack by German artillery on March 25, 1945, while waiting to cross the Rhine River.

Fisher had indicated before that his injuries weren’t recorded properly, contributing to the delay in receiving his medal. “I never heard back from them,” he remarked regarding his initial requests. Even years later, the Army informed him that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to grant the award.

Despite these setbacks, Fisher persisted. His longtime friend, Jeff Salk, dedicated years to researching Fisher’s military service, amassing numerous pages of documentation to support his case.

“He truly represents the best of America,” someone at the ceremony said. “We owe him a great deal of gratitude. His love for his country is inspiring.” Fisher served in the 556th Anti-Aircraft Weapons Battalion and fought in the Battle of the Bulge before being wounded.

After recovering from his injuries, Fisher rejoined his unit, later meeting Soviet troops on the Elbe River just before Victory in Europe Day. He then served as part of President Harry S. Truman’s official escort in Antwerp, Belgium, before returning home.

Wednesday’s ceremony seemed to bring a long-awaited resolution to Fisher’s quest for recognition. “That’s so true,” he remarked, reflecting on his journey.