Vietnam Vet to Receive Due Awards

FOREST CITY, N.C. (07/09/2010)(readMedia)-- After 40 years of waiting, Vietnam veteran Mendel Fowler is scheduled to receive medals earned during the Vietnam War in a ceremony at the Forest City National Guard Armory, located at 890 Withrow Road, Forest City, N.C, on July 10 at 4 p.m.

Fowler is set to receive the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

The quest to award Fowler with his earned medals was spearheaded by Army Capt. Scott Browne, a North Carolina National Guardsman. Browne discovered Fowler's story when the Vietnam veteran called into the national sports talk radio show "The David Stein Show" to share a story about a bowling tournament. During the call, Fowler spoke of his experience in the war and the medals he never received. Listening in through WCOS-AM out of Columbia, S.C., Browne then decided to research Fowler's case and organized the ceremony to ensure the veteran received the his medals in an appropriate setting for his service. The ceremony is open to the public.

Media representatives who wish to attend are requested to RSVP to the North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs Office at (919) 664-6242. During after-duty hours, please call (919) 612-5061 or email pao@ng.army.mil.