Overdue medal

This is Paul Janensch with a Treasure Coast Essay about a Marine veteran who finally received his medal.  Sylvester McIntosh, 68, of Wabasso, was presented with the Silver Star – our country’s third highest combat award – on January 30^th at the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary in Vero Beach.  This was lmost 50 years after he earned it.  In 1967, Corporal McIntosh was a young squad leader in Vietnam.  His unit came under heavy enemy fire.  He carried three of his buddies out of the kill zone before collapsing from a chest wound.  Paperwork for a medal to the corporal got lost.  In recent years, it was resubmitted.  This time it did not get lost.  McIntosh, who attended Gifford High School, said he wanted to make sure he got the job done and protected the men under him.  I’m Paul Janensch.