Brookline Family Accepts Purple Heart 47-Years After Brother's Death

For 47-years,  the family of Navy Commander Melvin Lederman of Brookline, fought to correct the military record of how he died and to honor him with the purple heart he was never awarded.

It finally happened through the intervention of Congressman Joseph Kennedy III (D).

Last month, Martin Lederman, his wife Henrietta and their family attended a ceremony at Brookline City Hall honoring Melvin with the purple heart and amending the military record of how he died. It brought  great closure to the family.  Lederman, a Navy Commander, and surgeon, died alongside five Marines and  one sailor on November 29, 1969, in Vietnam when their rescue helicopter exploded in flight. Their deaths were originally attributed to mechanical failure. However, it was later determined the helicopter crashed after taking on hostile gunfire.

Lederman says, "I'm delighted that this part has been corrected. His name was also submitted to receive a Silver Star medal for his work onboard a hospital ship as  a naval surgeon."

Lederman tells Morning Edition host Bob Seay, "The reason for the delay was Naval Bureaucracy. Nothing more to it than that,  and to admit that they made a mistake. But it eventually got done through the great efforts of Congressman Joe Kennedy."

"He achieved in ten months what others have tried to do for years."

The Lederman family finally has their long-over closure, and soon another honor will be bestowed upon the fallen veteran.

A memorial committee has been set up with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Martin Lederman says back in 1970, a large boulder was placed on the Esplanade in Boston and along with the boulder the area was named  Lederman Field. He says the family is raising funds to dedicate a sculpture and memorial in his brother's behalf. A date for the dedication will be announced in the near future.

To listen to the story of how the family received the purple heart click on the audio file above.