SPARKS, NV – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen’s (D-NV) office presented former Army Staff Sergeant Thomas Martin with the Purple Heart during a ceremony at the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza. Senator Rosen secured the award for SSgt. Martin – who was injured by a punji stake in September 1967 while conducting a helicopter assault during combat operations in Vietnam – after not receiving it for nearly sixty years due to administrative oversights. SSgt. Martin contacted Senator Rosen’s office for assistance, and the Senator and her team pushed the U.S. Army to evaluate the matter and retroactively award SSgt. Martin with a long-overdue Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is the oldest U.S. military award, and it’s awarded to servicemembers who are wounded or killed in combat.
“Staff Sergeant Thomas Martin bravely and courageously served our nation during the Vietnam War, and he was injured while fighting to protect our freedoms. Unfortunately, decades of delays prevented Staff Sergeant Martin from receiving the Purple Heart and properly recognizing his bravery and sacrifice during his time in uniform,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m so proud that my team and I were able to help him finally secure the Purple Heart he earned through his service to our nation. Assisting Nevadans with issues like this is one of the most important parts of my job as a United States Senator for Nevada. My team and I are always ready to help any Nevada veteran who needs assistance dealing with issues in the federal government or navigating federal agencies.”
Senator Rosen has been a champion for veterans in Nevada and across the country. She is leading the charge in Congress to secure benefits for veterans who served at the Nevada Test and Training Range during the nuclear testing era and were exposed to toxins, but have been denied benefits despite their civilian counterparts receiving support. Earlier this year, she successfully pushed the Trump Administration to reverse a rule that could have decreased benefits for disabled veterans. Senator Rosen has also introduced bipartisan legislation to cut red tape and streamline the process for medical practitioners who work with both the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help eliminate delays in patient care.
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