Minnesota man awarded Purple Heart posthumously for service in Vietnam
Nearly 50 years after he was killed while aiding wounded soldiers during a battle in Vietnam, a Minnesota man has been given the Purple Heart medal.
Sunday, U.S. Sen. Al Franken presented the family of Steven Noggle with his medal.
Noggle served as a medic in the U.S. Army.
According to military records, Noggle was serving as a medic during Operation Billings during a search and destroy mission. On June 17, 1967, a nearby platoon came under attack and he rushed to their aid, despite heavy enemy fire. He administered first aid to several soldiers, at times placing his body over them to protect them. He was mortally wounded by enemy fire.
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"His great courage and selfless regard for the welfare of his comrades doubtlessly saved many lives and distinguished him as a combat soldier of the highest caliber," reads the Bronze Star Medal award he was given for the same event.
Noggle, his brother Stan and his sister Mary were orphaned as children. The two brothers spent part of their childhood living in Boys Town in Nebraska.
Stan Noggle accepted the medal on his behalf. He thanked all involved who helped the family get the Purple Heart.
"It has brought Steven Michael Noggle back to life. It has made him real again," Stan Noggle said. "It had made his selfless sacrifice scream out saying, 'Hey, I'm not dead. I'm still here, still vital. After all these years I'm still in the hearts and minds of my family and friends. After almost 50 years, they still remember who I am and what I've done.'"