PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Mitchell Reed to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point
Broken Arrow Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Oklahoma’s Purple Heart Recipients 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 (SPC) Mitchell “Mitch” Reed, a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Oklahoma’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’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.
“Mitch 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 Mitch for his lifelong sacrifice and service to his community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
Reflecting on what service means to him and what advice he would give to young people entering the military, SPC Reed said, “You will be surprised at how much you learn about life and where you fit in the world. But always remember, nobody wins in war or conflicts.”
Reed was drafted into the U.S. Army on September 19, 1967. A member of the 25th Infantry Division, on January 1, 1969 while in the area of Dầu Tiếng, Vietnam, Reed was driving the lead armored personnel carrier (APC) escorting a supply convoy. About 1,000 meters before the gate Reed pulled his APC off to the side of the road to allow the rest of the convoy to proceed. While turning his APC around, Reed struck a land mine under the drivers hatch that severely damaged the vehicle and resulted in shrapnel wounds to his leg.
Just over a month later, Reed was part of a Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) platoon that was called in when NVA forces attacked the bunkers east of the air strip. While Reed was driving a NVA soldier stood up and fired a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) at his APC, setting it on fire. As Reed stood to exit, he was hit by enemy fire that blew him back about 20 feet. Reed suffered a chest wound and the resulting firefight forced Reed to stay stranded in his location overnight. Finally, at 5:30 the next morning, he was rescued but before he could be airlifted to the hospital the fellow soldiers had to deal with a sniper. Eventually, Reed was flown to Vung Tau where he received his award through the military mail system at the hospital. Finally, in August 1969 Reed received an honorable discharge from the Army. Along with his Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, SPC Reed was awarded numerous medals and commendations throughout his career, including the Bronze Star with Valor, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and more.
After his time in the service, Reed returned home, married, had three children, and worked as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. As a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Reed was involved in the Broken Arrow Veterans Center and helped expand the Purple Heart Cities program. As Commander of MOPH Chapter 589, Reed helped establish Tulsa County as the state’s first Purple Heart County. Today he is the Legislative Ambassador for the MOPH Department of Oklahoma. He was nominated to take part in the Patriot Project Mission by fellow Purple Heart recipient Gary Lewis, who was honored during the 2019 Purple Heart Patriot Project.
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 Badge of 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, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp now issued by the US Postal Service, and the organization was the driving force behind bipartisan legislation establishing the nation’s first official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin, which will be minted in 2022.
Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to support the Purple Heart Patriot Project should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.
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