Local News

94-year-old New Hampshire World War II veteran gets overdue Purple Heart

All smiles is Francis Byrne, 94, of Manchester, N.H., with his great grand children standing behind him after he received a long-awaited Purple Heart medal for getting wounded during World War II.

By mlv, Associated Press

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — A World War II veteran in New Hampshire who is battling cancer has finally received a long-awaited Purple Heart.

Cpl. Francis Byrne, of Manchester, received the awarded at a Friday ceremony at Elliot Hospital.

He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was injured in the line of duty in Belgium. He was hit by shrapnel from a landmine.

Byrne’s lieutenant had promised to fill out the paperwork for a Purple Heart, but he was killed in action the next day.

Byrne was diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer two months ago. His dying wish was to receive the award before he dies.

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U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said this month that Byrne will finally be awarded a Purple Heart.