PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Salvador Carrillo to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point
San Jose Army Veteran Chosen to Represent California’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 Sergeant (SGT) Salvador Carrillo Jr. will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as California’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.
“Salvador 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 Salvador for his sacrifice and lifelong service to the community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
Asked what he would want others to know about his service, SGT Carrillo said, “That I served with pride.”
Carrillo was drafted into the U.S. Army in April 1969 and served for the next two years as a member of the 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment. In April 1970, while on patrol in the Vietnam jungle, Carrillo’s unit was ambushed from an enemy bunker that was previously unknown to them. During the attack, Carrillo suffered a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Along with his Purple Heart, SGT Carrillo was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the National Defense Service Medal, the South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Good Conduct Medal and more.
Married and the father of three, Carrillo built a career as an electrician and general contractor after being honorably discharged.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located just north of West Point, New York, near the site where General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart, 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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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION
The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports a variety of programs to promote the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, pay tribute to our Purple Heart recipients, and educate all Americans about our combat-wounded veterans to ensure those who sacrificed for freedom are never forgotten. Learn more and support their efforts at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.