BRYAN, Texas — A Brazos Valley veteran is set to receive the Purple Heart award this December, 56 years after being wounded in the Vietnam War.
Saturnino Carpio, a medic who served in the 25th Infantry as a member of C Company, was wounded during a search and destroy mission in 1967, according to veteran's advocate Mike Southerland.
Over five decades later, Carpio will be presented the award at a ceremony, hosted by the Dennis Muth Memorial PTSW Anger Management Group, at The Feed Barn in Bryan on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 1:30 p.m.
According to Southerland, Carpio was wounded in an ambush by the Viet Cong on Oct. 22, 1967, in which he was injured in the chest, groin, right foot, left eye and both legs. Carpio was reportedly one of eight platoon members wounded in the ambush.
After the attack, Carpio and the other wounded soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to Cu Chi Hospital where they received care. Carpio was then reportedly taken to Cam Ron Bay before being transferred back to the United States.
Carpio landed at Fort Hood, now Fort Cavazos, and was reassigned to Fort Polk, LA, where he completed his service in 1968.
Southerland said Carpio's injuries were not recognized by the U.S. Army until 2023, 56 years after the ambush, and the incident was not documented in his Army record.
After 20,480 days of asking, Southerland said the Department of the Army recognized Carpio and corrected his service record on Nov. 13, 2023.
The Feed Barn, where the ceremony will be held, is located at 2017 Fountain Ave. in Bryan, TX, 77801.
More local stories from 6 News: