It's taken more than 50 years, but a Chisago City man who was wounded while fighting in Korea now has his Purple Heart. Robert Butte, a Marine Corps veteran, received the medal last Saturday from Eighth District Congressman Jim Oberstar who petitioned the U.S. Department of the Navy for the medal on Butteís behalf. Butte was a corporal in the infantry when he was wounded in action in Korea on June 3, 1951. Although told in 1951 that he would receive the medal, it was never presented. Earlier this year Butte asked Oberstar to intervene on his behalf. Upon Oberstar's request for a review of Butteís military records, the Navy discovered that the Purple Heart has never been awarded to him. Oberstar presented the medal last Saturday during a ceremony in North Branch.

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605