A World War II veteran from Kentucky, Glenn Fisher, has been awarded the Purple Heart after more than 80 years of waiting. Fisher, now 99, received this esteemed military honor recognizing his service and sacrifices during the war.
Fisher, who served in the U.S. Army, received the award at a ceremony held at Louisville’s Frazier History Museum. Overwhelmed with emotion, Fisher said, “I’ve been so excited, I haven’t been able to sleep at night thinking about what a wonderful thing is happening.” As he approaches his 100th birthday, this recognition marks the fulfillment of a long-awaited acknowledgment of his wartime injuries.
“I’ve been so excited, I haven’t been able to sleep at night… It’s really true.” – Glenn Fisher
Fisher enlisted in 1943 at the age of 16, with his parents’ consent, and was part of the Army’s 556th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Weapons Battalion. He was injured on March 25, 1945, while stationed near the Rhine River in Germany. His injuries were not well-documented at the time, which delayed his recognition for many years.
Efforts to obtain the Purple Heart were repeatedly unsuccessful until recently. Fisher’s friend, Jeff Thoke, played a crucial role in gathering the necessary documentation and evidence to support Fisher’s claim. “He represents the best of America,” Thoke noted at the ceremony, highlighting Fisher’s patriotism and dedication.
Despite the setbacks, Fisher’s persistence paid off. He continued to serve bravely in significant parts of the war, including the Battle of the Bulge. He also met Soviet forces at the Elbe River the day before Victory in Europe Day and later participated in an official escort for President Harry S. Truman in Belgium.
Receiving the Purple Heart means acknowledging a part of Fisher’s history that was long overlooked. The ceremony symbolized the end of his enduring quest for recognition and justice.
Fox News Digital has requested additional information from the U.S. Army concerning Fisher’s Purple Heart, but no response has been received thus far.