N.J. Vietnam Vet Gets Bronze Star Almost 50 Years After Discharge

A Vietnam War veteran has finally received his Bronze Star... almost a half-century after he returned from combat.

Last week, Newark resident and former Army serviceman Ernest Copper met with U.S. Congressman Donald Payne Jr. at his office to receive his long-deserved medal, given to members of the United States Armed Forces for bravery in a combat zone.

Copper received the award for his service with Battalion Unit E 2nd Squadron 6th Calvalry, when his unit came under enemy fire in Vietnam, according Payne spokesman Michael Burns.

But due to lost paperwork and a clerical error on his discharge papers, Copper was forced to jump through a glut of red tape to set the record straight, Burns said.

“He came into our district office, because he wasn’t getting any response or help from [the United States Department of Veterans Affairs] to request copies of his medical record, service record and to request a social security number correction on his discharge papers,” Burns told Patch.

“Our office sent a Congressional inquiry on Copper’s behalf to the National Personnel Records Center,” Burns continued. “After he received his records and they fixed his DD 214 with his correct social [security number], our office did more investigating and NPRC referred his case to the [Army] and found out he was awarded the Bronze Star medal.”

The experience was gratifying for Copper in the way that only hard-earned respect can be.

“It feels great to get something that I really earned,” Copper said. “The congressman’s office got what I needed to get, and I thank them.”

“This is why I serve in Congress,” Payne Jr. told Patch. “Mr. Copper served our nation with honor and distinction, bravely fighting off attacks while under enemy fire in Vietnam. Ensuring that Mr. Copper’s discharge papers were accurate and that he received his records and medals was the right thing to do, and I’m glad my office was able to assist on his behalf.”

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Photo courtesy of Michael Burns