Man Honored With Purple Heart 48 Years After Sacrifice
NEW HOPE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Forty eight years after making the ultimate sacrifice, a Minnesota soldier was honored Sunday for his incredible bravery during war.
Specialist Stephen Noggle used his body to shield two fellow medics during an attack in Vietnam. He continued to administer first aid the men until he was hit and killed.
On Sunday, Sen. Al Franken presented Noggle's family with the Purple Heart, an honor he was awarded in 1962 but his family never received. His family said the honor does much more than give them closure.
"It has made him real again. It has made his selfless sacrifice, it's made his spirit scream out 'Hey I'm not dead. I'm still here,'" Stan Noggle, Stephen's brother, said.
This is his second Purple Heart. Stephen Noggle had earned other medals prior to his death.