Press Release: Local Purple Heart Recipient Rev. Carlton Cannon to be Honored During National Tribute Event
Magnolia Marine Corps Veteran Chosen to Represent Delaware’s Purple Heart Recipients During the 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project
(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Marine Corps Captain (Retired), Carlton Cannon 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 National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and other unique tributes.
“Rev. Cannon and his fellow Patriot Project honorees represent the best of the best our country has to offer,” 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. These brave men and women are true American heroes. 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 Carlton for his courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home,” said Col. Russ Vernon (NYARNG Ret.), the Executive Director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
This year’s Patriot Project honorees include men and women Purple Heart recipients from World War II, the Vietnam War, Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and other conflicts, representing all branches of the service and ranging from 37 to 100-years-old.
Asked what he would want young people to know about his service, Captain Cannon said, “The Marine Corps was a great place to start life. It was truly a rewarding experience I’ll always treasure.”
Cannon enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps in April 1967 and was later commissioned as an officer, completing a career that spanned more than 24 years. Cannon, then a Lance Corporal, was first wounded during the Battle of Khe Sanh in April 1968, while serving with the 26th Marine Regiment. He was wounded a second time in September 1968 and a third time in December 1968. Along with his Purple Heart with two Gold Stars, Capt. Cannon was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Army Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with one star, National Defense Service Medal with 1 star, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, and the Good Conduct Medal with 3 stars, and more.
Married and the father of three, Cannon is an ordained Bishop in the Church of God, serving as deputational representative Ministry to the Military, He also enjoys golfing in his free time.
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 in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The Badge, a purple cloth cut in the shape of a heart, was the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart 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 the nation’s first official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin series, which was issued by the United States Mint 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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