Vietnam vet finally receives Purple Heart

ANCHORAGE - A Vietnam veteran has received a Purple Heart 42 years after being wounded.

Wayne Stackhouse was awarded the medal Saturday.

Shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade in 1967 struck and wounded Stackhouse. He was one of two people to survive the attack.

Stackhouse said he was questioned about a Purple Heart last year when he went to a Veterans Affairs clinic and was encouraged to pursue it.

He said he's never been more proud to be a Vietnam veteran.

Stackhouse said the Department of Army Records Correction Board called the 42-year delay in receiving the award an administrative error.