Decades later, Marine honored with Purple Heart Published July 11, 2014 By Jenny Gordon Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- In July 1968, Authur Greene began his service in the Marine Corps, signing up just months earlier for basic training at Parris Island, S.C., before heading to the fight in Vietnam. Fast forward 46 years and Greene, now 64, finally received something he had no idea had been typed into his service record years earlier. Nestled in between the National Defense Service Medal and the Rifle Marksman Badge, there it was - the Purple Heart Medal. In front of dozens of family and friends, and several brothers from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 at Robins, Greene was finally able to share his story and give thanks. It all came together during a planned Independence Day weekend family reunion at Robins' Heritage Club. "I don't have words to express my appreciation. I am very thankful. This is very moving to be here with family and it means a lot to me," said Greene, who served with the First Battalion, 9th Marines. Just two years earlier, it was his brother Joseph Greene, an Installation anti-terrorism officer at Robins, who noticed the fine print while going through some family records while assisting Authur with veteran's benefits. There it was on his brother's DD Form 214 - a record of military service. So, Joseph Greene set to work to ensure his older brother would receive the medal, no matter how long it took. "It's very fulfilling for us to finally see him get this, especially with all his sisters, brothers, our mom and children here," said Joseph Greene, an Army veteran of 22 years, during the July 5th celebration. "Having a family reunion here on the weekend of Independence Day is what made it even more special. We're also touched with the Marines who took time to come and do this." Authur grew up one of 12 brothers and sisters on a farm in Americus, Ga. He would be the only one to become a Marine. His daughter joined the Navy and several nieces and nephews also joined either the Navy or the Army. Along with six of his buddies from Sumter High School, they all liked what they heard from a recruiter and decided to join the Marines. Landing in Saigon in early 1969, Greene found himself in the thick of the Vietnam War, eventually getting wounded while on an ambush mission in the A Shau Valley. He had not only suffered a bullet wound to the right side of his face, but he'd also suffered a broken arm and contracted two types of malaria. He thinks that perhaps as a result of recovery time in the hospital and subsequent moves while in the service, he just never paid particular attention to any medals he might have received. Life just got a little busier at the time too with a growing family. When his brother came for a visit to Florida two years ago, Authur Greene couldn't believe it when he saw it typed on the form. That set in motion a series of surprises that would keep him smiling for days. When the Purple Heart finally did arrive at his home, wife, Carolyn, hid it until the next family reunion. They usually have a big one every year. She herself also had no clue that an elaborate ceremony would be planned for her husband, with other Marines being asked to partake in the medal presentation. Brother Joe had other tricks up his sleeve. Some of his brother's friends he'd served with in Vietnam would also attend last weekend's reunion, including fellow Purple Heart recipient George Jackson. "It was a surprise when his brother told me he'd never received it, since I got mine while I was in the hospital recovering from my own wounds in Vietnam," said Jackson, a 20-year veteran. "I feel so proud. It's well overdue."