It isn't often Sioux Falls makes national news, but it happened Wednesday.

88-year-old Charles Bledsoe finally has his purple heart and bronze star after serving in World War II. Because of an oversight, Charles never received his medals.

It all finally came to a head when he tried to join the Sioux Falls chapter of the Military Order of Purple Heart and was turned down. That's when the wheels were set in motion to make things right.

According to the Associated Press:

Bledsoe joined the Army immediately after graduating high school and served in Company F of the 273rd Infantry Regiment. He was involved in three major battles – D-Day, the Battle of the Hedgerows and the Battle of the Bulge.

U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson presented Charles Bledsoe with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Wednesday during a ceremony at the Veterans Administration hospital in Sioux Falls.


Following is the report ABC Radio News aired on Charles.

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