It's Never Too Late: Vietnam Veteran Awarded Purple Heart After Decades Of Perseverance

In June 1969, as 19-year-old U.S. Army soldier Theo Muhammad lay recovering in a U.S. military hospital bed in Japan from second and third-degree burns, he never imagined the additional and invisible struggles he would face once his physical injuries began to heal.

Muhammad sustained the wounds during his first combat mission while serving on a tank crew during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, during the mission, his tank was struck twice by enemy rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) engulfing the vehicle in flames. 

Muhammad was assigned as a grenadier stationed on top of the tank. During the attack, he was jolted into the flames that were towards the rear of the tank. 

Trapped, panicking, in pain, and in shock, Muhammad recalled thinking he would lose his life when he suddenly heard a voice calling out asking if there was anyone else still on the tank.