Vietnam veteran receives award thirty years after service

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Story Published: Mar 18, 2008 at 5:33 PM PDT

By Molly Blancett

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EAST EUGENE - It's an honor more than thirty years in the making. Tuesday, a Vietnam War veteran received the prestigious Bronze Star for valor. U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio presented the award to First Lieutenant Phillip Johnson at the Federal Courthouse.

"I'm so grateful for what's happened since then," said Johnson. "I'm blessed with a great family and children in lieu of that. So, this is kind of a closure to to that time."

Johnson was wounded in the Vietnam War in 1971 while leaving the safety zone to help others. His commander recommended him for the award. But, the request got lost in the shuffle of paperwork. It resurfaced recently. Johnson said the three decades past do not diminish the honor he feels.

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