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WASHINGTON (AFNS - 11/28/2011) -- Almost 67 years after being
shot down during a bombing raid during World War II, former 1st Lt.
Edward J. Moppert Jr. received his Purple Heart medal Nov. 26 at the
World War II Memorial here.
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Retired Maj. Gen. Robert M. Worley II presents former 1st Lt. Edward Moppert with a Purple Heart medal Nov. 26, 2011, at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Moppert was wounded and held as a prisoner of war during World War II, and he was never presented with nor did his records reflect receiving the medal. Worley and members of the Air Force Analysis Assessments & Lessons Learned at the Pentagon, worked with Defense Department officials to get his official records corrected. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Raheem Moore
Retired Master Sgt. Hank Cloutier presents former1st Lt. Edward Moppert with an Eagle Cane during Moppert's Purple Heart medal ceremony Nov. 26, 2011, at the World War II Memorial in Washington. The Eagle Cane is presented to veterans who have received some manner of leg disability from combat related actions. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Raheem Moore
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A few years ago, Moppert's daughter, Lorene Moppert-Keipper, started
organizing his military records and realized he was never formally
presented his Purple Heart medal. Through a friend of her husband's,
she contacted Maj. Fred Hixson at Air Force Analysis Assessments &
Lessons Learned (A9) at the Pentagon and asked if there was anything
he could do. Hixson enlisted the help of his co-workers and went
about the task of getting the medal presented to Moppert.
Moppert-Keipper's plan was to get her father presented the medal at
the World War II memorial here on his 90th birthday. Working with
the volunteers from A9, they were able to make this request a
reality.
Working behind the scenes, Hixson and Sheila Mulhern,
in concert with their team were able to put together the ceremony
honoring Moppert's service. Next up was to have the medal presented
to Moppert, and retired Maj. Gen. Robert M. Worley II, the former
Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs,
volunteered.
"I was very excited for my dad, as I know how
proud he was to serve his country in World War II", Moppert-Keipper
said.
When Moppert and his family arrived at the memorial,
they were greeted by Worley, Hixson and Mulhern and he was told he
would be formally receiving his Purple Heart.
Worley officially
presented Moppert with his Purple Heart, and he was also presented
with an Eagle Cane. The cane, which is presented to veterans injured
in combat, was presented by retired Master Sgt. Hank Cloutier.
"It was an honor for me to present Lieutenant Moppert with his
Purple Heart," Worley said. "He is a part of the greatest generation
and part of Air Force history. Without the sacrifices of Airmen like
Lieutenant Moppert, our Air Force would not be the greatest air and
space force in the world."
Moppert served as an Army Air
Force bombardier on a B-24 Liberator during a raid over an oil
refinery in Germany. While parachuting from the heavily damaged
aircraft, he was shot in the foot while landing. He was captured and
held as a prisoner of war for almost seven months at the infamous
Stalag Luft I allied POW camp in Barth, |
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Germany. |
He was liberated from Stalag Luft I in May 1945 and
repatriated back to the U.S. He served another year on
active duty and was honorably discharged a year later.
Moppert was contacted by the pilot from his last mission,
and told him to expect his Purple Heart in the mail in a few
weeks. The medal arrived with his name engraved on the back,
epaulets and a lapel pin in an embossed leather case, but it
was never officially presented.
When asked how he
felt about finally being presented with his Purple Heart,
Moppert said "I was a bit overwhelmed, very proud and
elated. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and I enjoyed
the entire ceremony. I loved meeting all those that were in
attendance and felt very special being in the company of all
in uniform."
By USAF Master Sgt. Raheem Moore
Air Force Public Affairs
Agency
Air Force News Service
Copyright 2011
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