70 years later, WWII veteran surprised with Purple Heart

OSHKOSH - It was a surprise 70 years overdue for an area World War II veteran.Thursday afternoon, Staff Sgt. Fred Zurbuchen was awarded the Purple Heart in a surprise ceremony in front of his family at EAA’s museum.It didn’t sit well with Zurbuchen that he never received a Purple Heart despite being wounded in combat.“It's just something you earn and something you should get,” said Zurbuchen. “It's that simple.”Zurbuchen's paperwork to receive his Purple Heart was destroyed in a fire. It's a wrong that EAA's Chris Henry wanted to make right when he met Zurbuchen earlier this year“There were many others and that's still an ongoing thing of trying to get these World War II veterans their medals,” said Zurbuchen.Henry invited Zurbuchen to EAA's museum, telling him only he had a ball turret display he wanted to show him. It's similar to the one Zurbuchen rode in 70 years ago to the month, when he was injured as a B-17 gunner for the Air Force.“I'm the last survivor of the crew,” said Zurbuchen. “I look back and wonder where all the years have gone.”Little did Zurbuchen know, he wasn't just at EAA for a trip down memory lane.“On behalf of Army aviators past, present, and future, allow me to extend my most heartfelt thank you for the inspiration you've given us all for your acts of valor and bravery,” said a military representative, while presenting Zurbuchen his Purple Heart.“I can't say the right words,” said Zurbuchen. “It's unbelievable to think that I got the medal finally. I tried everything possible to get it, never succeeded.”Zurbuchen's family had been trying on his behalf as well. “At some point he was frustrated,” said Andy Pevonka, Zurbuchen’s grandson. “As he always said, he knows what happens over the skies of Germany, so he didn't need an award to prove his heroism and his service.”It wasn't until Zurbuchen's family worked with Henry, the Air Force and the Army that they could make his honor a reality. “It's hard to believe, mind boggling,” said Zurbuchen.Zurbuchen, who enlisted at the age of 17, flew 25 missions over Germany as a B-17 gunner. He was wounded on his 10th mission, but was back in his turret two weeks later.