Man who died in Vietnam in 1970 finally honored after bureaucratic mix-up

Man who died in Vietnam in 1970 finally honored after bureaucratic
mix-up

(EXCERPT) By Lisa A. Abraham Beacon Journal staff writer

CUYAHOGA FALLS - Navy Hospital Corpsman Michael Richard Kempel was
just 22 when he was caught up in a barrage of land mines and sniper
fire in Quang Nam province, Vietnam.

Several days after his death, Kempel's commanding officer, Marine Lt.
Ranson Pelt, submitted his name for a Silver Star Medal. For some
still unknown reason, the paperwork never made it through proper
channels.

``The battalion was packing up to move to another area. I think the
paperwork was just lost,'' Pelt said.

That mix-up was corrected Sunday, when Kempel was awarded his Silver
Star in a moving and patriotic ceremony at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Church more than 33 years after his death.

Several hundred people watched as the medal was presented to Kempel's
83-year-old parents, Richard and Margaret Kempel. The...

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---------------------------
Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com