99-Year-Old WWII Veteran Receives Purple Heart After 81-Year Wait

Glenn Fisher, a 99-year-old World War II veteran from Kentucky, received the Purple Heart on July 5, 2026, after waiting over 80 years for the honor. Fisher was wounded while serving in the Army during combat against Nazi Germany. The award ceremony took place at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. Fisher enlisted in the Army at age 16 in 1943 and was injured on March 25, 1945, due to German artillery fire. Despite initial attempts to obtain the medal being unsuccessful, Fisher continued to pursue recognition with the help of his friend Jeff Thoke, who gathered historical records to support his case. Fisher's service included participation in the Battle of the Bulge and later meeting Soviet forces at the Elbe River. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in Fisher's long quest for recognition of his wartime injuries.