This afternoon, Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) presented the Purple Heart and National Defense Service Medal to Navy veteran George W. Wilson, Jr. of St. Joseph, Michigan. 

Wilson, a Seaman in the United States Naval Reserve from 1966 to 1971, was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for his honorable active service during the Vietnam War and the Purple Heart for wounds received in the infamous June 8, 1967 attack on the USS Liberty.  Wilson was stationed on the Liberty in international waters off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula during the Six-Day War between Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.  On June 8th, the Liberty was mistakenly attacked and damaged by Israeli Defense Forces.  Wilson was one of 170 Liberty crew members wounded in the Israeli attack, which left 34 Americans dead.

Wilson’s family reached out to Upton for assistance in obtaining the overdue medals.  Upton presented Wilson’s medals as a surprise during George Wilson’s family reunion barbeque.

Although it has been more than four decades since he actively wore his military uniform, we as a nation remain ever grateful for George Wilson’s brave and selfless service to his country,” said Upton.  “A mere 22 years old, Wilson was called to serve at a turbulent time in our nation’s history – American involvement in Vietnam had escalated and the stakes in the Cold War could not have been higher.  Wilson did not hesitate in answering his nation’s call.  We are the land of the free because of our brave.”