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Purple Heart recipient: Others still waitingBy Marley Shebala Navajo TimesWINDOW ROCK - It wasobvious from the huge smile on the face of Navajo Code Talker Edward B, Anderson Jr., 81, that he was having the greatest time of his life.Anderson, who was in a wheelchair with his right leg propped up, was surrounded by family as Marine Corps Col. James Cooney presented him with the Purple Heart duringMonday’s Navajo Code Talker Day at Veterans Memorial Park.Recently, Anderson became a resident of the VA Medical Center nursing home in Phoenix. VA officials discovered he had not received the Purple Heart he'd earned in World War II.Carl James, minority veteran representative at the center, said two workers were cleaning Anderson’s room when he asked if it was OK for him to receive his Purple Heart.For decades after the war, thecode talkers’ exploits were a closely guarded military secret. Many became accustomed to keeping quiet about their role and did not seek out medals they had earned.James contacted Leon Curley with the Navajo Nation Military Order of the Purple Heart.Dominque Digovini, who heads the Phoenix Military Order of the Purple Heart, also assisted with resea rc h , vvhk'h re v e a led t h a t Anderson had indeed earned a Purple Heart.Digovini’s office reported thatAnderson survived gun shots to his right thigh, right shoulder, right lower leg, right eye, left arm and abdomen.Anderson, whose body is slowly deteriorating, had no problem remembering when he was shot up.“It was in the South Pacific, in the war at New Britain,” he said. “Dec. 28, 1943.”New Britain Island, north of Australia, was the site of aSee WAIT, Page A-3
Newspaper Details
Navajo Times
Window Rock, Arizona, US
Thu, Aug 17, 2006
Page 1
Full Page
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USA 18 Jun 2019
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