102-Year-Old WW2 Veteran Receives Purple Heart

102-Year-Old WW2 Veteran Receives Purple Heart | World War Wings Videos

Credits: KGW8

A World War II veteran finally received his Purple Heart medal which he rightfully earned eight decades ago. Malcolm Champagne, a 102-year-old veteran, was barely in his 20s when he became a navigator on a B-17 Flying Fortress.

After several missions, 1st Lt. Champagne took part in a raid that took out Germanyโ€™s ball bearing factory. That day is now known as โ€˜Black Thursdayโ€™, after the Army Air Corps took plenty of losses despite their success.

Credits: KGW8

โ€œWe lost 60 B-17s that day – thatโ€™s 600 men. Of those 600 men, 300 survived. Iโ€™m one of those 300.โ€

Champagne survived by parachuting from 20,000 ft, but was taken as a POW for nearly two years after he landed behind enemy lines.

Aside from the Purple Heart, Champagne also received a Prisoner of War Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the US Army Air Force Navigator Wings.

Credits: KGW8

No reason was given as to why it took this long for the veteran to get his medals, but in the end, Champagne was grateful for the recognition.

โ€œIโ€™m flattered, I really am. Iโ€™m very very grateful. But I always think about the guys who didnโ€™t make it.โ€

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