A Purple Heart for a POW
BY Amber Miller
A ceremony honors a prisoner of war, 50 years after his death.
In 1950 a 19 year old from Mountain City went to fight for his country.
A short time after deploying to North Korea, Private First Class Harry Leon Wilson was captured by the enemy.
Private wilson died of pneumonia in less than three months after he was captured.
Wilson his remains didn't make it back to Mountain City until 1955 or 1956, because of a mix up with his remains.
His family never received any metals for his sacrifice, because the military does not give the Purple Heart to soldier who die in prison camp.
Last year people in the community decide to change Private Wilson's story.
After contacting the Department of Defense, Congress, and even the President, Private Wilson's last living relative-- his 95 year old aunt-- received the medals he earned while protecting his country.
There are 317 soldiers like Private Wilson who died in captivity but are not authorized a purple heart, so President Bush signed an act that will allow their families to have one.
It is now up to the Department of Defense to implement the new rule.
Ê
The Bristol Courier © 2007 Media General, Inc.