A Kentucky World War II veteran, wounded during combat against Nazi Germany, has at last been bestowed one of the nation's most profound military accolades, an honor he has awaited for more than eight decades.
For 81 years, Glenn Fisher lived without the Purple Heart, a medal he firmly believed he earned on a World War II battlefield. On Wednesday, the 99-year-old Army veteran officially received the esteemed award.
"I've been so excited, I haven't been able to sleep at night thinking about what a wonderful thing is happening," Fisher expressed during Wednesday's ceremony at Louisville's Frazier History Museum. "Sometimes I'd wake up and say, 'now, is this really true?' And it is, it's really true."
The Purple Heart, presented to U.S. service members who are either wounded or killed due to enemy action, arrives just months before Fisher's 100th birthday. This recognition concludes years of unsuccessful attempts to formally acknowledge his wartime injuries.
A Decades-Long Pursuit for Recognition
The veteran's compelling narrative was initially brought to public attention in March as he pursued the medal ahead of his centennial birthday.
Details from earlier reports indicate Fisher joined the Army in 1943 at the tender age of 16, having secured his parents' consent. He later participated in the D-Day landings on Utah Beach in France and was wounded on March 25, 1945. This injury occurred while he was awaiting passage across the Rhine River when German artillery struck his unit.
Fisher previously stated that his injuries were never properly documented during the war, a circumstance he believes contributed to the extensive delay in receiving his Purple Heart.
"Never did hear back from them," Fisher recalled regarding one of his initial efforts to obtain the medal.
Years later, he made another attempt, but the Army reportedly informed him that insufficient evidence could be found to approve the award.
A Friend's Dedication and Enduring Patriotism
Despite these considerable setbacks, Fisher persistently sought the recognition, aided by his longtime friend Jeff Thoke. Thoke dedicated years to researching Fisher's military service, meticulously compiling hundreds of pages of historical records for military officials.
"He represents the best of America," Thoke remarked on Wednesday. "We can't thank him enough for all that he has done. He loves his country; he's one of the most patriotic men."
A Full Military Career
According to prior accounts, Fisher served with the Army's 556th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Weapons Battalion. He engaged in combat during the intense Battle of the Bulge before sustaining his injury near the Rhine River in the final months of World War II.
Accounts describe Fisher's return to his unit mere weeks after his injury. He later encountered Soviet forces at the Elbe River the day prior to Victory in Europe Day and ultimately served as an official escort for President Harry S. Truman upon Truman's arrival in Antwerp, Belgium, before concluding his service and returning home.
Wednesday's ceremony undeniably marked the culmination of a journey Fisher had pursued for decades.
"It's really true," he affirmed.
