PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Lawrence Rupp to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point
Medford Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Oregon’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 Captain (CPT) Lawrence “Larry” Rupp, who received a Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Oregon’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-expenses-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.
“Larry 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 Larry for his sacrifice and lifelong service to his community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
Asked what service meant to him, CPT Rupp said, “It was my chance to grow and learn that I was able to do much more than I thought possible. It taught me that no matter how tough things got mentally or physically, I had it in me to adapt and overcome. I am proud of my service and proud to be able to say I am a combat veteran.”
Lawrence Rupp served two tours in Vietnam, first between 1968 and 1969 and then again between 1970 and 1971. In January 1969 Rupp received shrapnel wounds during attacks just two days apart. In May of the same year, Rupp suffered a gunshot wound while pursuing a Vietcong carrier. Along with his Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, CPT Rupp was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with four over-seas bars, a Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and more.
After leaving the service, Rupp continued to serve his community as an officer of the Oregon State Police for 35 years. Rupp is a Life Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), where he has served in Chapter and Department leadership, including as Department of Oregon State Commander from 2016 to 2020.
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.
###