Great Falls Veteran Gets Purple Heart Recognition- 45 years Later

Vietnam veteran Marvin Brewster, who was wounded in combat in 1966, was honored with the Purple Heart Award Certificate and six other decorations at a ceremony at the VFW in Great Falls, today. This recognition comes  45 years overdue. Brewster, a lifelong resident of Great Falls, received his Purple Heart medal years ago, but it was never entered into his official records.  After looking into the case,  Senator Jon Tester secured a revised discharge form to “fix the record once and for all.”  In doing so, Tester also discovered that Brewster had not received several other decorations he earned in Vietnam.

Brewster and his wife Marylou were joined at the ceremony by their daughters Becky and Katie and their grandchildren

In addition to the Purple Heart, Brewster received the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device. Brewster remains active in the Great Falls community, volunteering at Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps League, and the Great Falls Farmers Market.  An artist, Brewster also sculpted the 13-foot angel statue at the Montana Veterans’ Memorial in Great Falls.