NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y., April 8 (UPI) -- A Korean War veteran in Niagara Falls, N.Y., says he finally received a Purple Heart after 56 years thanks to telegrams sent to his family in 1953.
Veteran Anthony Bruno credited the telegrams sent to his family members following his lower body injury in Korea on July 15, 1953, with being vital evidence in his pursuit for the military honor, WVIB-TV of Buffalo, N.Y., said Wednesday.
"I never got the Purple Heart. My mother and father got the telegrams and my older sister, thank God. She saved me," Bruno said.
Veteran Leo Ciskiewicz worked with the office of U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., to use the two telegrams as proof that Bruno deserved to receive the military award.
After the military accepted Bruno was indeed injured during the battle of Christmas Hill, the Niagara Falls resident was presented with the honor reserved for those military personnel injured or killed during their service.
"I want to thank the U.S. That's all I can say," Bruno said of the honor.
