After 73 years and a long fight with the U.S. Army, Korean War veteran Earl Meyer finally received his Purple Heart medal on Friday. The Purple Heart honors service members wounded or killed in combat. Meyer, 96, who still has shrapnel in his thigh, had the medal pinned to his chest at a ceremony at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. The Army had previously rejected his application due to a lack of paperwork, but after a campaign by his daughters, Amy Klobuchar, and others, the decision was reversed.
During the ceremony, Meyer recalled being at an earlier event where Purple Heart honorees were recognized, and now he can proudly stand up with them. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar presented Meyer with a certificate alongside a former aide who worked on his case. Klobuchar commended Meyer for his service and highlighted the challenges faced by wounded veterans trying to prove their eligibility for medals. Meyer’s daughter, Sandy Baker, described him as a humble man who was initially hesitant to seek recognition but ultimately did so to help others in similar situations.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, expressing gratitude for Meyer’s service, was unable to attend the ceremony but sent a letter thanking him for his dedication. Weimer’s representative, Command Sgt. Major Jason Ross, described the intense combat Meyer endured during his service in the Korean War. Meyer witnessed friends being wounded and killed in action and faced continuous combat with the enemy for days on end. He sustained injuries in a mortar attack in 1951, where few survivors from his unit made it out unharmed.
Meyer’s application for the Purple Heart was initially denied due to insufficient documentation, which had been destroyed in a fire. With the help of Klobuchar’s office, additional documents were obtained, and an Army review board finally granted Meyer the medal based on new evidence that confirmed his combat injuries. Despite his reluctance to seek recognition, Meyer’s daughters, Klobuchar, and others pushed for his Purple Heart, believing his efforts deserved acknowledgment. The board cited records from the Department of Veterans Affairs and a memo from Weimer as supporting evidence for Meyer’s application.
Meyer’s American Legion coffee buddy, Dave Johnson, emphasized the importance of recognizing individuals like Meyer who have served and sacrificed for their country. Johnson described Meyer as humble and downplaying his experiences, but stressed the significance of his contributions to the community. Meyer’s bravery and sacrifice during the Korean War were acknowledged and celebrated during the ceremony, with Klobuchar expressing her gratitude for his service. After 73 years, Meyer finally received the recognition he deserved for his wounds sustained in combat, becoming a Purple Heart honoree alongside his fellow veterans.
