PRESS RELEASE: Purple Heart Patriot Project Honoree Truitt Breazeale Remembered for Lifetime of Service
Vietnam Veteran Was Recently Chosen to Represent Mississippi’s Purple Heart Veterans as Part of the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project
(NEWBURGH, NY) – The National Purple Heart Honor Mission’s executive director Col, Russ Vernon (Ret) offered the following statement upon the passing of U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant Major Truitt Breazeale of Philadelphia, Mississippi. SGM Breazeale was a veteran of the Vietnam and Cold Wars, who was selected earlier this year to represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Mississippi’s representative at the annual Purple Heart Patriot Project, multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of American’s combat wounded.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Sergeant Major Breazeale’s passing and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vonnell, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He represented the best traditions of our heroes who served and bore the scars of war, but never stopped serving their communities. We had looked forward to welcoming him this year representing all of Mississippi’s Purple Heart heroes. He will now be with us in spirit and we will continue to ensure his sacrifice for our nation is recognized along with our other honorees.”
SGM Breazeale served in the U.S. Army for 54 years - 32 years of active duty and 22 years teaching high-school Army JROTC. His service included tours at Forts Benning, Jackson, Riley, Bragg and Greely. He had three tours in Korea, two tours in Vietnam and a short time in Germany. Breazeale served as an Infantry Company Commander in Vietnam. He was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism.
On the day of his retirement, his Sergeant Major stripes became the silver oakleaves of a Lieutenant Colonel, which began a more than two-decade career transforming the lives of young people through the JROTC.
Breazeale passed away on January 20, 2021 from complications related to COVID-19. More information can be found here.
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