CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Nearly 80 years have passed since Marvin Cornett was wounded by a German mortar during a battle in World War II.
The humble soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division didn’t think much about the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals he didn’t receive after returning home.
For him, the recognition belonged to the ones who didn’t make it back. But his family disagreed, and they worked with Cornett’s former unit to get him the credit he deserved.
Just shy of his 100th birthday, Marvin Cornett recently stood in his Army greens and shining jump boots as two uniformed soldiers pinned the medals on his chest.
Feature photo: Former 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper and World War II veteran, Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Cornett was awarded his Purple Heart and Bronze Star during a ceremony in California in February. Photo credit by Lt. Col. Michael Burns.
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