Did you know that an Army veteran gets Medal of Valor 42 years after heroic action at Fort Carson?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:12:42 -0400

https://youtu.be/ZaVX_HrGZyc

Retired U.S. Army Specialist Joseph Gilmore was finally awarded the Soldier’s Medal of Valor for bravery he exhibited 42 years ago during a fire on Fort Carson.

“Really, I can’t even tell you what happened when the fire broke out at the armory on base,” Gilmore said. “When the first blast of flames hit me in the face, my whole body went on remote control.”

The modest soldier served from 1972 to 1979. He asked about the medal several times but could never get a straight answer about why he was never presented it.

It wasn’t until the family contacted Rep. Diana DeGette’s office that the Army decided to find records it said were somehow lost that related to his actions in 1973.

So Tuesday, at the new digs for VFW Post No. 1, with top brass, family and friends on hand, Gilmore finally got the medal he earned all these years ago.
Did you know that an Army veteran gets Medal of Valor 42 years after heroic action at Fort Carson?

Here is great news story for one of our Veteran American Heroes!

42 Years Later, Rep. DeGette helps Specialist Joseph Gilmore Receive Soldier's Medal

In 1973, Specialist Joseph Gilmore rescued valuable Army equipment from a burning building. Due to missing paperwork he never received the recognition he des...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 23 at 2015 3:14 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:14:24 -0400

No I did not COL Mikel J. Burroughs that is great news.
42 years s an incredibly long time to wait for a CONUS award for U.S. Army Specialist Joseph Gilmore to be awarded with the Soldier’s Medal of Valor for bravery he exhibited 42 years ago during a fire on Fort Carson.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 23 at 2015 3:16 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:16:40 -0400

It's never too late to do the right thing. DUTY FIRST!!! I'm happy for him.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 3:17 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:17:21 -0400

Better late than never. I like to see that we still pursue some of these awards after the fact. Even if they weren't conferred when they should have been, it shows that we don't forget the service of those who put their lives on the line for us.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 23 at 2015 3:29 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:29:51 -0400

Man it took a long time

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 3:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:33:23 -0400

Good for him.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Sep 23 at 2015 3:56 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:56:53 -0400

A few years ago, we had a Native American from South Dakota get the Medal of Honor posthumously from ww2. He was a MSG in the army

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 24 at 2015 10:55 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:55:12 -0400

Better late than never. It always infuriates me when DOD is stingy with medals that should be awarded...

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 22 at 2017 10:36 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 10:36:13 -0400

Congratulations SPC Gilmore.