LITTLE ROCK — A 91-year-old U.S. Marine who served in World War II and Korea is finally receiving his Purple Heart.
U.S. Rep. French Hill was set to present the medal to Edsel Smith in a ceremony Tuesday at the state Capitol.
Smith was wounded in Korea during the Chosin Reservoir campaign. He was shot in the leg but didn't realize he was bleeding until later that night because of the extreme cold.
His division pulled back, and Smith finally was treated by a medic, who recommended him for the honor.
Smith never got it. When he returned to Pusan, he was sent to sick call but never went because he said there were soldiers a lot worse off than he was.
After returning home, Smith worked as a TV and radio engineer.
Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.