Purple Heart from WWII replaced

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A ceremony to replace a lost piece of family history was held Wednesday. Bill Youngblood accepted a new Purple Heart from Congressman Jo Bonner that  was earned by his father, William, in World War II.

Bonner also awarded Youngblood with a posthumous Bronze Star, in a surprise to Bill.

PURPLE HEART REPLACED

It seems a simple thing, presenting a new Purple Heart for one broken years ago. For Bill Youngblood, getting the replacement medal which his father earned took some work.

"The procedure is really elaborate," Youngblood said. "You have to document, we had to find the records."

SEVERELY INJURED IN BATTLE OF THE BULGE

Army Private First Class William Youngblood earned his Purple Heart during the Battle of the Bulge, a German offensive into Allied-held Belgium late in the war. It was a desperate fight in horrendous conditions and, as a medic, Youngblood became a target.

"He was out on the battlefield tending to another soldier and got shot by a sniper and left for dead," Bill said.

It wasn't until the fighting ended that Youngblood was discovered.

"There was lump in the snow. When somebody kicked the lump to see if it was a body, my father was actually still alive. So when he groaned they rescued him and sent him to Walter Reed. He stayed there about a year, " Bill continued. "He was initially paralyzed, but overcame that, but was in pain most of his life due to his war injuries."

Youngblood's new Purple Heart will go back on display at his son's home and be a constant reminder of his father's bravery.

"He was quite a remarkable guy and I didn't need the metals to be proud of him, but it's a good way to remember him," Bill said of his father.

THE LAST PURPLE HEART

The elder Youngblood died in 1999. Service members are only entitled one replacement Purple Heart.

Youngblood said he'll make sure the new one never gets broken.