Texas WWII veteran to receive posthumous purple heart
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A World War II veteran who was struck by a German tank in France will be posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and two bronze stars after a decades-long effort by his family in Texas.
Pvt. Juan C. Marquez suffered shrapnel wounds and later broken ribs and a separated shoulder when hit by a tank after being deployed in 1944. He was discharged in 1945, but died in a car accident three years later in El Paso.
His family worked for years to find the right documents proving he deserves the honors. The Army finally agreed.
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The medals will be awarded Friday during a ceremony with Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard, the commanding general at Fort Bliss, where Marquez was assigned.
Marquez's son Antonio says it'll mark closure for his family.