July 20, 2006 at 6:55 a.m.
Purple Heart presentation decades in-the-making
Korea conflict veteran honored
Korea conflict veteran honored
Butte was a U.S. Marine infantry corporal serving in Korea on June 3, 1951 when he suffered his combat injury. It was late afternoon when, “A mortar shell came in on two of us,” said Butte. “I was out for a couple of minutes. When I woke up, my face was scratched up and I had blood all over me. We carried wounded out on stretchers all night. The next morning, my balance was off. A corpsman diagnosed it as a concussion.”
The veteran doesn’t remember much of the next week. During those days, he was transported on a hospital ship to Yokosuka, Japan. It was while he was in the hospital in Yokosuka that he was first told he would be awarded the Purple Heart.
From Japan, Butte was sent to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. He recalls that he was told there, too, that he’d get the medal.
From Hawaii, the corporal was shipped to San Francisco and then to a military hospital in Bremerton, Washington. Only 30 miles from his home town (Tacoma), receiving the Purple Heart slid down his list of priorities.
“I was so happy to be home that I just kind of forgot about it,” Butte added.
More than 50 years later, after visiting the Twin Cities VA Medical Center, Butte felt a renewed interest in getting his medal. With the help of Chisago County Veterans Service Officer Jim Halstrom, Butte completed the necessary paperwork.
At that point, Congressman Oberstar petitioned the U.S. Department of the Navy for the medal on Butte’s behalf. Responding to Oberstar’s request, the Department of the Navy reviewed Mr. Butte’s military records and discovered that his Purple Heart had never been awarded.
“It is an honor to provide this symbol of Mr. Butte’s faithful and dedicated service to our nation during a time great need. Like thousands of others, Mr. Butte made a difference, and it is important that he receives the recognition that he deserves,” said Oberstar. “All of us can be proud of veterans like Mr. Butte, who also holds the Korean Service Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal for his distinguished service.”
Butte and wife Nancy, have lived in Chisago City since 1998.
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