PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Calvin Chambers to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point

Prairie Grove Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Arkansas’ Purple Heart Veterans as Part of the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project

 (NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Specialist Calvin Chambers of Prairie Grove, a Vietnam War veteran, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Arkansas’ representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of American’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. The all-expense-paid trip includes visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s Headquarters, a special tour of the newly renovated National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and other tributes to service.

“Calvin and his fellow Patriot Project honorees are true American heroes,” said Richie Lay, a Purple Heart recipient and chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “America’s Purple Heart veterans have given so much to defend freedom and that sacrifice must always be remembered. We are privileged to be able to provide this unique salute to service for our Purple Heart heroes.”

“Our Purple Heart recipients have made enormous sacrifices for America and this is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation. For some, this will be like the homecoming they never had. We received hundreds of nominations from across the country and we look forward to honoring Calvin for his lifelong sacrifice and service to his community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.  

Calvin Chambers enlisted in the Army in August 1969. While deployed to Vietnam, SPC Chambers was stationed at FSB Buttons and spent time in Cambodia. On May 25, 1970, Chambers unit had just been resupplied and the platoon was directed to take the perimeter around the top of the hill. Chambers was walking right point (lead) when the platoon walked into an ambush halfway up the hill. The ensuing firefight took the lives of Chambers’ squad leader and left point man, and left Chambers wounded.

In addition to his Purple Heart, Chambers received numerous commendations and awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device and more.  After being discharged from the Army, Chambers worked for nearly three decades at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center. Married with three children, enjoys trout fishing and camping. He also is an advocate for his fellow veterans as the Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart - Chapter 460 in Fayetteville.  

SPC Chamber was nominated for the recognition by Ralph “Carder” Ferguson, the 2019 Purple Heart Patriot Project representative for Arkansas and the Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Arkansas.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located just north of West Point, New York, at the site where General George Washington first awarded the Medal for Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The badge, shaped like a purple heart was the forerunner of today’s medal.  In addition to creation of the museum, supporters of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission were instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp now issued by the US Postal Service, and are leading the effort in Congress to pass the National Purple Heart Commemorative Coin Act.

Learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission and the Purple Heart Patriot Project at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.

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