Article originally shared by the News & Advance on December 22, 2024
One of our beloved patients, Harford Allen Burks Jr. was recently presented the Purple Heart medal by Clifton “Buck” Krantz at his home in Big Island.
Harford Allen Burks Jr., a U.S. Army veteran, was in the Quang Tri province of Vietnam in the late 1960s when he and his comrades came under enemy fire. Burks, who was wounded in the battle, was able to alert his fellow troops of an incoming mortar attack, saving many lives.
Burks, known as “Big Al,” was presented the Purple Heart medal by Clifton “Buck” Krantz, with Lynchburg’s Chapter 1607 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Nick Soukhanov, commander of the Bedford American Legion Post 54.
Burks is currently battling cancer and is being cared for by Centra Bedford Hospice. The family recently learned new details from David Kinzer, a Centra Hospice in Bedford volunteer who works with veteran patients through the national “We Honor Veterans” program.
In his research, Kinzer learned Burks had taken an oath to remain silent about his work with the U.S. Army Security Agency, or ASA, a U.S. military unit responsible for intercepting and analyzing enemy electronic communications during the Vietnam War.
Kinzer informed Burks and his family the information surrounding his work with the ASA has been declassified and he was now free to talk about his experiences in Vietnam.
After starting hospice care on Nov. 27, Burks received a visit from Kinzer and his wife Judy, who brought him gifts and awarded him a U.S. military veterans pin. In his conversation with the Kinzers, Burks asked about the status of the Purple Heart.
“Within 48 hours, Kinzer called and said, ‘We’re going to get you that Purple Heart,’” Wilson told The News & Advance. “He worked some quick magic.”
Kinzer then contacted Krantz and Soukhanov about participating in the Purple Heart medal ceremony at Burks’ home.
Soukhanov explained that it’s unfortunately not unusual for delays to occur in the awarding of Purple Heart medals and other military awards. “A lot of times, promises were made and the paperwork was filled out,” he said. “But there’s so much turnover when you’re in the military. Your boss says, ‘You’re going to get this,’ but then he’s gone.”
After returning to Bedford County from Vietnam, Burks served in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1971. During his post-military career, he worked as an industrial electrician at the Georgia-Pacific paper mill in Big Island, a job from which he retired in 2006.
Burks and his wife Barbara have four children — Monica, Janet, Doug and M.R. — all of whom attended Friday’s ceremony. They also have 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Thank you for your service, Harford Allen Burks! Lynchburg’s Chapter 1607 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Bedford American Legion Post 54, and the We Honor Veterans program made this important recognition possible.
