U.S. Army veteran presented with replacements after medals lost in house fire

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A war veteran who lost seven medals of honor, including a Silver Star and Purple Heart, in a house fire received his replacements today.

U.S. Army veteran Richard Smith’s McClean County home caught fire in 2020.

Along with the medals he received from his service in the Vietnam War, a photo album documenting his time serving in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army was also destroyed.

Smith says that being presented with the medals once again feels like being reunited with his brothers.

“It’s similar to when some of my combat brothers found me and got me to the reunions,” Smith said. “And it’s a soothing, it’s a soothing thing to your soul.”

Today, Smith received a replacement for his Silver Star, the military’s third highest award, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and five other medals and commendations.