Alexander Thibodeaux arrived  at the Jeanerette Veterans building  prepared to attend a Veterans of Foreign War meeting, but soon after tears were rolling down his face.

To his surprise, he quickly found out he was lured to the meeting to receive an honor that had arrived 64 years late.

The World War II veteran  was presented the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster for the two wounds he received 64 years ago while serving in Lluzon and Northern Solomon Islands.

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Family and friends had gathered for a small reception to join Alexander on his special day.

“We are here today to honor a man who served his country bravely during World War II and to finish an action that began over 60 years ago,” said Raymond Allain, a Vietnam war veteran.

In 1944, Thibodeaux was fighting in the Pacific theater and he was wounded not once but twice.

He earned the Purple Heart and received the paper work to prove it, but  never received the medal.

“Over the years, Alex has regretted that he didn’t receive his Purple Heart and he has often spoken of how good it would be to have it,” said Allain.

Thomas Enright, Deputy Secretary of Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs, was on hand to make the special presentation on behalf of Governor Bobby Jindal.

“It is an honor to be here to present this medal after more than 60 years,” said Enright.

“This is a very prestigious medal. No one speaks out about it, but it is a real honor to wear and an honor for me to present this to him.”

Tears rolled down the 89 year-old veteran as he examined the prestigious medal.

“After so many years, it is finally here,” Thibodeaux said.  “This is a big surprise. I deserved it and wanted this medal. I was wounded twice fighting for my country.” he said.

Thibodeaux said he was honored that so many of his  friends had come to share in his special day.

During the Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II, the Purple Heart medal was often awarded on the spot.

Thibodeaux still remembers the day the Purple Heart medals were distributed during war time. 

“We were lined up waiting in the heat for our medals and only half were distributed. The other half of the soldiers  were told to come back the next day, but I had to go to combat.

I didn’t know how to speak Japanese, so I had no way of telling the Japanese to wait to begin fighting until I went to get my Purple Heart, Alexander said laughingly.

“I just thank the good Lord that I made it back home. There were so many that didn’t make it back.”

Major Blaine Kelly read the General Order dated July 24, 1944 of the United  States Army Headquarters 145th Infantry Division authorizing the award of the Purple Heart.

“His noteworthy achievements are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect good credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army,” Kelly read from the General Order.

Fellow veterans Freddy Migues and Bob Freshley began the process of obtaining Thibodeaux’s medal more than four months ago.

“It took a while to get through the bureaucracy, but the medal finally arrived in Jeanerette last week,” Allain said.

The Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered by a soldier, but for each subsequent wound an oak leaf cluster is awarded.