PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Joseph Hill to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point
Middletown Marine Corps Veteran Chosen to Represent Delaware’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. Marine Sergeant Joseph Hill, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Delaware’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.
“Joe 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 Joe 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 younger Americans to know about his service, Sgt Hill said, “That Vietnam veterans served honorably and bravely, and that military service can prepare you for your future.”
Hill enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in December 1965 and served for the next four years, including service in Vietnam as part of Operation Union I and Operation Union II. He was wounded during Union I and then again on August 15, 1967. Following the second incident, he was medevacked to Da Nang where he spent a month at the Da Nang Naval Hospital and on the Hospital Ship Repose. Along with his Purple Heart with Gold Star, Sgt Hill was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device and more. How also earned three Presidential Units Citations for his service in Vietnam as a member of the 5th Marines and the 1st Marine Division.
After serving in the Marine Corps, Howe was later honored by the Chief Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York, for his work as a Grand Jury Warden for the Special Narcotics Grand Jury Court, Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office.
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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