Vietnam vet receives Purple Heart, 44 years late
Fred Jenness received his Purple Heart on Monday, 44 years after he earned the medal fighting in Vietnam.
Jenness served as a Navy Seabee when he was wounded on Dec. 19, 1969 in an attack on his team's compound in Vietnam. The Golden Valley man never intended to ask for the medal until several years ago.
When Jenness did finally request the honor, he was told there was no evidence of the attack that left him injured. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar's office helped set the record straight.
Veterans, family members and other well-wishers packed the Golden Valley City Council chambers Monday to watch Jenness receiver the long overdue honor. Later, Jenness held back tears as he explained why he decided to pursue his Purple Heart.
He did it for the grandkids, so "that they have someone to look up to," he said, so "they know what has been sacrificed in the past."
Jenness is a retiree who regularly volunteers at the Minneapolis Veterans Hospital.
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