Press Release: Local Purple Heart Recipient Glenn Boche to be Horned During National Tribute Event

South St. Paul Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Minnesota’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. Army Specialist 4th Class Glenn Boche will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Minnesota’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.

“Glenn 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 Glenn 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 others to know about his service, Specialist Boche said, “At the time, while I was in Vietnam, it was about surviving for another day.”

Boche was drafted into the U.S. Army in April 1969 and served with the 22nd Infantry Regiment, the 25th Infantry Division, while in Vietnam. Specialist Boche was wounded-in February 1970 in fighting along the Cambodian border, north and west of the Tay Ninh base camp. The wounds were minor and for the most part, the fragments from the shrapnel were removed by himself and the company medic who, tragically, would be a killed-in-action the very next day. While this mission was temporarily called off, Specialist Boche and the other members of his unit, the very next day at a ceremony awarding commendations to the troops we, were told they were going right back out to the same location the next day as part of a six-company operation to locate the 272 NVA Regiment.

Boche was wounded a second time the very next day when they returned to the same location near the Cambodian border. Boche had been given the choice not to go, because he had been wounded already, but choose to go because he was made a squad leader earlier that day. Upon returning to the location, Boche’s squad was ambushed three times when they tried to move out after a brief fire fight. Regrettably, two members of the squad were killed-in-action during the first two ambushes, and several men were wounded. Boche and the other men then attempted to direct the medivac chopper in using flashlights on their helmets, but those efforts were unsuccessful because of the thick jungle canopy. The squad then moved out to go return to their landing zone, only to be ambushed again. During this third firefight, Boche was wounded by an explosion that occurred within their perimeter.

Boche shared “At first it was thought I had shrapnel wounds again but in 2008 when I had my knee replaced, doctors found copper fragments and it was then determined these were two bullet wounds just below the right knee and the third in the inside of my right ankle, as well. We ended up with two killed-in-action and 13 others were wounded.”

Along with two Purple Hearts, Specialist Boche was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including a Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Combat Infantry Badge, and more. Married, Boche worked for nearly 40 years with BNSF Railroad after completing his military service.

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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