First Army presents Purple Heart to Local Veteran

By Mr. Darryl Howlett (First Army)July 9, 2015

Purple Heart
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Army Deputy Commanding General for Operations Maj. Gen. James "Red" Brown congratulates Airman 1st Class Jon Nutzman after presenting him with his Purple Heart Medal during his Purple Heart Award ceremony in First Army Headquarters lobby at Roc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Maj. Gen. Brown
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Army Deputy Commanding General for Operations Maj. Gen. James "Red" Brown speaks during the Purple Heart Award ceremony for Airman 1st Class Jon Nutzman in First Army Headquarters lobby at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., July 8, 2015. Nutzman was wo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Airman Nutzman and Family
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- A local veteran was honored after 50 years for being wounded during the Vietnam War.

Maj. Gen. James "Red" Brown, First Army deputy commanding general for operations, hosted a Purple Heart ceremony for Air Force veteran Airman 1st Class John D. Nutzman, today, inside First Army headquarters.

"This ceremony is taking place 50 years later than it should have, but it is never too late to do the right thing," Brown said. "To honor and publicly recognize the service and sacrifice of Vietnam Veteran Airmen Jon Nutzman."

Nutzman, who lives in Lowden, Iowa, was wounded during an artillery and rocket attack while in Vietnam on August 24, 1965 at Bien Hoa Air Force Base. Nutzman suffered injuries from shrapnel to his back, legs, and arms.

Members of Vietnam Veterans of America Quad Cities Chapter 299 and local officials assisted in having First Army present the medal to Nutzman.

"The recognition was fantastic," he said. "I'm grateful for all the work a lot of people put in this ceremony. I think it's appropriate (being presented with the Purple Heart) with this being the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. I'm deeply thrilled (with the ceremony presentation)."