Local Vietnam War veteran receives Purple Heart

PITTSBURGH — A Vietnam War Veteran received a Purple Heart at a ceremony Thursday.

Forty-two years after taking shrapnel in an enemy attack, Earl Mansberry received the United States’ oldest honor at a ceremony at the American Vets Center in Hopwood.

Mansberry was wounded at Phu Cat Air Base in March of 1970.

He was checked out, bandaged up and jumped right back into action, he said.

Mansberry told Channel 11 he kept the injury from his family.  The American hero broke his silence two years ago when he started going to a support group.

“It’s OK to talk about stuff and not feel ashamed, which we all felt when we first came back.  We felt that shame.  We didn't want to talk about it," said Mansberry.

The Purple Heart is like no other military honor.  Recipients are not recommended for the decoration; they are entitled to it because of their service to our nation.

WPXI