https://archive.triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/45-years-later-hero-in-vietnam-finally-receives-his-medals-2/
45 years later, hero in Vietnam finally receives his medals
Justin Merriman | Trib Total Media
Congressman Tim Murphy pins the Purple Heart on U.S. Army veteran Carl Charnesky Tuesday afternoon at the Bethel Park American Legion. Charnesky served 11 months and 26 days deployed in Vietnam where he earned the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/device (1960), Sharpshooter Badge and Rifle Bar. Rep. Murphy helped Charnesky to secure his service medals.
Carl Charnesky of Bethel Park on Tuesday received a Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and several other commendations for his military service.
The recognition was 45 years in coming.
U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, presented the commendations to Charnesky, 70, a Vietnam War veteran, at the Bethel Park American Legion Post 760.
“I was very proud of them due to the fact that I earned them. … It meant more to me than ever,” Charnesky said.
He served two years in the Army's 25th Infantry, spending nearly a year in Vietnam, he said.
When he was discharged in 1969, he received paperwork stating that he was eligible to receive the service medals but never looked at the paperwork closely to complete the process, he said.
That changed three months ago, he said.
“And I'm looking on it, and I'm seeing there are medals on there that I didn't even get,” he said.
He contacted Murphy's office, which reached out to a military records center to confirm that he was due medals.
Charnesky received a Purple Heart because he was wounded in action — he was shot in the hip in Vietnam.
He also received a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment (quadruple), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960) and Sharpshooter Badge and Rifle Bar.
“It is an honor to present the Purple Heart and these Army medals to Carl Charnesky,” Murphy said. “It's never too late to welcome home from Vietnam those heroes like Mr. Charnesky who displayed selfless courage in serving our country.”
Charnesky's wife, LaVonue Charnesky, and Bethel Park Mayor Jack Allen, who also is commander of the Bethel Park American Legion Post 760, attended the medal ceremony.
Charnesky is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6664 in Library and the American Legion Post 712 in Pleasant Hills.
He is the former commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1940 in Broughton.
Tory N. Parrish is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-380-5662 or tparrish@tribweb.com.
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