MINERSVILLE — Cecil Christian, better known by his middle name, Frank, always put his country and others before himself. That is why he was awarded the Purple Heart and why it took so long for him to receive the actual medal.
“I never really bothered with this because I figured there were so many more people injured and hurt much more severely than me over the past few years,” Frank Christian, 69, of Friedensburg, said Thursday when he finally received his medal. “I never even signed up for Veterans Benefits until last year and my brother prompted me to do that. I thought they would be a bit overwhelmed with people coming back from Iraq.”
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, presented Frank with the Purple Heart and other medals and ribbons during a town hall meeting Thursday evening at the Black Diamond Navy Club Ship 257, Minersville. Established by Gen. George Washington when he was commander and chief of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award still bestowed among members of military service, Cartwright said. It is awarded to those wounded or killed in combat.
Although Frank never wanted the recognition, his brother, Danny, Hometown, said it is something he can now pass down to his grandchildren. Danny said there is a lot of military history in the family. While he never served, Danny said their father and uncle were in the military and now Danny’s son continues that tradition.
“He said if you take a hit for your country, you should get your medal,” Danny said of his son. “I told him it’s better than having it on a piece of paper.”
After talking with his son, Danny attended one of Cartwright’s town hall meetings about six months ago in Hometown and initiated the process to get his brother his medals.
“He’s a great guy,” Danny said. “He worked his whole life.”
Frank said he never thought about passing it onto his grandchildren until his brother mentioned it.
“It meant a lot to me that he went through all that trouble,” Frank said. “I wasn’t going to bother with it. There are so many veterans coming back from all the wars lately and Vietnam is something a lot of people want to forget about.”
Frank also received the National Defense Service Medal, which is awarded to those who serve during a national emergency, war or conflict; the Vietnam Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device 1960 Campaign Ribbon, which was awarded by the former South Vietnamese government; and expert marksmanship badge with rifle bar, which is awarded to those who complete weapons qualification courses or for high achievement in marksmanship competitions.
Frank served in Vietnam at the rank of specialist in D Company, Second Battalion, 34th Regiment, First Division of the U.S. Army.
“I appreciate it all very much, thank you,” Frank said.
Born Aug. 25, 1946, in Berkley, West Virginia, Frank graduated from Tamaqua Area High School in 1964. He was drafted into the Army and entered the service in 1966, Cartwright said. Frank trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was deployed March 1967 and served in country until March 1968.
“Christian was stationed in Lai Khe and served in the armored unit as part of four-man crew, but they were often short handed and only had three men on board, so Mr. Christian had to be versatile and at times served as tank crewman, driver loader or gunner,” Cartwright said. “Today, Mr. Christian is receiving the Purple Heart because he was injured north of Lai Khe when his tank drove over a land mine. Christian was treated for his wounds and remained in combat service in Vietnam after his injury until his deployment ended.”
Frank then spent years working as a welder for Summit Trailer Sales, Summit Station. He is still employed at Wal-Mart. In addition to his brother, Frank was accompanied by his wife, Karen; daughter, Stephanie; and three grandchildren.
“I would like to thank Mr. Christian’s brother, Danny, for notifying my staff that Mr. Christian never received these awards, including the Purple Heart, which he earned by his service in Vietnam,” Cartwright said. “I thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and for making it possible for us to pay proper tribute to Mr. Christian today for his service to our nation.”