A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Marine Corps Major (Maj) Larry R. Iverson Jr., Ph.D., will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as California’s representative at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.
Read MoreCloninger enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 7, 1967, serving with 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, Delta Company. He deployed to Vietnam during the Tet Offensive and fought at the Siege of Khe Sanh before continuing combat operations in the jungles of Vietnam. He earned his Purple Heart after being wounded in a North Vietnamese ambush, suffering shrapnel injuries to his right upper arm.
Read MoreU.S. Marine Corps Corporal (Cpl) Daniel Contois and U.S. Army Specialist (SP4) Michael Webster will represent their fellow Purple Heart heroes as Maine’s representatives at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.
Read MoreU.S. Marine Corps Sergeant (Sgt) Robert Olivarez will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Washington’s representative at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.
Read MoreU.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Thomas Matteo will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as one of Florida’s representatives at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
Read MoreU.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Thomas Matteo will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as one of Florida’s representatives at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.
Read MoreU.S. Marine Corps Major (Maj) Larry R. Iverson Jr., Ph.D., will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as California’s representative at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.
Read MorePalmieri entered the Marine Corps on January 7, 1966, and served with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, known as “The Walking Dead,” in Vietnam, including during Operation Buffalo.
Read MoreBorn in South Carolina to a family of sharecroppers, James Capers Jr later moved to Baltimore, Maryland, and upon graduation of high school he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was sent to Vietnam in August 1966. While serving, Capers was selected to join the elite Force Recon Marine unit where he excelled, breaking training records, participating in 64 long range reconnaissance patrols and five major campaigns in Vietnam.
Read MoreFormer Marine and Rockland Businessman Barry Fixler makes a $5,000 donation to the Purple Heart Patriot Project.
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