KOBI: Medford Purple Heart recipient to be honored in New York, plans to continue advocating for Veterans
May 11, 2021, By Anthony Carter
MEDFORD, Ore — A Purple Heart Veteran will be representing Oregon in this year’s Purple Heart Patriot Project ceremony in New York.
“I was proud to wear the uniforms,” Rupp told NBC5 news. “I’m proud to say I’m a Veteran.”
U.S. Army Captain Lawrence “Larry” Rupp received a Purple Heart following two tours (1968-1971) serving in Vietnam. Its the United States’ oldest military medal – honoring Veterans that have been wounded or killed during battle.
Rupp was drafted in 1966 when he was 20-years-old. He began his career at Fort Ord, which used to be an Army base at Monterey Bay, California. The base closed in 1994 and is now a National Monument.