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Sixty-four years after he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, a World War II veteran from Rush Valley today received his Purple Heart.
Clinton Sagers fought for and suffered wounds for his country in World War II. His family and friends fought to get him the Purple Heart he was due.
"If it hadn't been for these leaders in the service pushing this, why it may have never happened," Sagers said.
Sagers was born and raised in Rush Valley. We met him at his farm two years ago. Drafted at age 21, the Army sent Private Sagers to Belgium for the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. In a firefight, German shrapnel tore into Sagers' leg.
"I was just happy that I was still alive," he said.
The soldiers surrendered and the Germans marched them to a prison camp.
"One soldier says, ‘You'd better step it up. They're shooting the guys that drop out behind,'" Sagers said.
When the Allies won the war, Sagers was free. At first, the medal didn't matter to Sagers. Later he discovered fire destroyed his military records in St.Louis.
His granddaughter wrote the first letter for action six years ago. The Executive Director of the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs pushed the Army, through the Utah Congressional delegation and even the president.
Terry Schow, executive director of the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs, said, "When I called Clinton and said to him, ‘Sir, the Secretary of the Army has authorized a Purple Heart for you.' He says, ‘Thank you," and then, ‘I'm glad I'm still here.'"
Clinton Sagers used to worry he'd die before he got the Purple Heart he deserved. Today he got the medal with his siblings, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren watching.
"This Purple Heart means a lot to me," he said.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
