WWII Veteran Receives Purple Heart After Long Wait

Sixty eight years is a long time to wait for recognition after being wounded in war, but for one veteran it was time well spent. Though he never served with the 101st Airborne Division, Staff Sergeant James Alsobrooks served alongside them during the Battle of the Bulge and then spent 30 years serving at Ft Campbell as a civilian after he left the service. 101^st Airborne Division Commander, Major General James McConville says it is an honor to finally recognize such long and dedicated service.

He adds that Alsobrooks is among his heroes.

After officially receiving his purple heart and a lifetime membership to the Purple Heart fraternal order, Alsobrooks took to the microphone at McAuliffe Hall in front of nearly 100 soldiers, leaders and fellow veterans.

Alsobrooks was injured by shrapnel during the Battle of the Bulge, while serving with the 11^th Armored Division, but after a minor surgery returned to the battle field where he was again wounded after crossing the Rhine River. He is a native of Erin, Tennessee and spent most of his 30 year civilian career at Fort Campbell in the transportation department before retiring in 1978.