Celebrating Purple Heart Recipients
The bravest of the brave — that’s who we celebrate on National Purple Heart Day, Aug. 7. The Purple Heart medal is a special medal that is earned on the battlefield. It is awarded to our brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice as a result of a battlefield injury. The Purple Heart medal is said to be the oldest United States military medal, being created by General George Washington in 1782 to recognize bravery in combat.
In honor of National Purple Heart Day, we spotlight Purple Heart medal awardees who we had the distinct privilege of interviewing for VLB’s Voices of Veterans Oral History® program. Their stories can be heard below. Additionally, their interviews are stored in the General Land Office archives alongside other Texas heroes such as Davy Crockett and James Bowie.
Robert Bearden — WWII, Army
LISTEN TO HIS STORY
Dallasite Robert Bearden served with the U.S. Army 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in the Normandy invasion, D-Day, June 6, 1944.
At the cost of over 6,000 Americans killed or wounded, the D-Day Invasion gave the Allies a vital foothold in Nazi-occupied Europe and signaled the beginning of the end of the war.
One of the last to jump on D-Day, Bearden’s unit had lost the element of surprise. He was wounded twice and eventually captured by the Nazis and held as a prisoner until the end of the war.
In 2010, over 65 years later, Mr. Bearden was honored in a ceremony hosted by Major General William Grimsley at III Corps Headquarters, in Ft. Hood. He was commended with 13 medals in recognition of his military service, including a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a well-earned Combat Infantry Badge.
Details of his military experiences are recorded in his book, “To D-Day and Back,” published in 2007.
William Morgenroth — WWII, Marines, PFC
LISTEN TO HIS STORY
William Morgenroth served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946. He took part in the famous Battle of Iwo Jima from February 19, 1945, to March 8, 1945, with the 5th Division, 26th Regiment.
Mr. Morgenroth witnessed the raising of the U.S. flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945.
He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received during combat.
Mr. Morgenroth now resides in Brownsville, Texas.
Max Vasquez — Vietnam, Marines
LISTEN TO HIS STORY
Mr. Vasquez served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from May 1967 to March 1970.
He was deployed to Vietnam and fought in the Battle of Dai Do, Con Thien, Khe Sanh, and Quang Tri. Mr.
Vasquez received four Purple Hearts after being wounded in action.
Additionally, Mr. Vasquez was a relay runner in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and carried the torch through Houston.
He rides with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Capitol City Chapter out of Austin and currently resides in Kyle, Texas.
Ken Wallingford — Vietnam War, Army
LISTEN TO HIS STORY
Ken Wallingford served in the U.S. Army from 1969 until 1973.
He attended paratrooper school at Ft. Benning and Special Forces, phase one training, at Ft. Bragg. Mr. Wallingford was sent to Vietnam in August 1970 and was assigned as a sniper with the 25th Infantry Division.
One year later, he volunteered for a second tour of duty as a military advisor with the Military Assistance Command Vietnam. He was captured on April 5, 1972, when his unit was overrun and spent ten months in a tiger cage in a POW camp in Cambodia. He was finally released on February 12, 1973.
Mr. Wallingford was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts among numerous other decorations.
Mr. Wallingford was a Veterans Liaison for the Texas Veterans Land Board for many years, before retiring in 2018.
Francisco Barrientes — Vietnam War, Army
LISTEN TO HIS STORY
Francisco Barrientes, a native Texan from Edinburg, was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968.
In 1969, he was sent over to Vietnam and on May 5, 1969, he received injuries when a hand grenade struck his leg. A few weeks later, on June 20, 1969, he sustained a gunshot wound to the face.
Sgt. Barrientes spent the next seven years in and out of Fort Sam Houston and has undergone over 40 surgeries.
He returned home to Edinburg, where he married and volunteered at his children’s school. In 2002, Sgt. Barrientes was named a Hero for Children by the Texas State Board of Education.
In 2006, the Edinburg school district named a middle school in Barrientes’ honor. He continues to share his military experiences and resides in Edinburg.
Mr. Barrientes was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
David Glover — Vietnam War, Army
LISTEN TO HIS STORY
David Glover enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1964. He served with the 5th Special Forces, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and saw extensive action during his four tours in Vietnam. He also was a POW twice in 1969.
Mr. Glover received the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and four Purple Hearts.
Mr. Glover now resides at the William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home in Temple.
We’d love to hear your story too. If you’re interested in sharing, please sign up here and we’ll be in touch soon.
