Queens Vietnam Vet To Finally Receive Medal For Heroism During War
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Vietnam War veteran from Queens will be receiving a medal more than 40 years late for his heroism during the war.
In 1969, Sgt. John Chichester, 66, of Ozone Park received a piece of paper authorizing him to receive a Bronze Star with a "V" for valor.
But the military later lost his records and he never got the actual medal.
Chichester has been battling the U.S. Army ever since.
He will finally receive the Bronze Star with the "V" Device Thursday night for something that happened on Dec. 3, 1968.
"This particular mission was a 12-man team," Chichester said. "We went out and we were attacked and encountered a fierce firefight with almost 400 North Vietnamese Army personnel."
The citation says Chichester's actions and total disregard for his own safety helped hold off the enemy and aid the wounded until help could arrive.
"I'm going to feel very good," he said. "I feel vindicated, personally. I do a lot of work with other veterans and I am certainly not the only one going through this."