A northern New York veteran has finally received the Purple Heart medal he was awarded after being wounded in Afghanistan more than five years ago.
The Watertown Daily Times reports Army Sgt. Jason Mauldin was wounded on Oct. 27, 2010, his 35th birthday.
Mauldin was driving a truck on a night patrol with three other members of his Fort Drum-based 10th Mountain Division unit when the vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. One soldier was killed while Mauldin and two others suffered wounds.
Mauldin was awarded the Purple Heart but never received it. His wife contacted Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's office for help.
Mauldin received the medal Tuesday during a ceremony held at the American Legion Post in Massena, near his home in the St. Lawrence County hamlet of Helena.
He was medically discharged in 2013.
Information from: Watertown Daily Times, http://www.watertowndailytimes.com
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