Vet's war medals replaced
World War II vet receives Purple Heart from Luján

Tom Charley laughs while having his picture taken a at City Hall on Tuesday. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Brian Leddy

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Gaye Brown de Alvarez
Staff writer

GALLUP — It was a large crowd who came to Gallup City Hall Monday to celebrate World War II veteran Tom Charley.

The Council Chambers was standing-room only with vets and city officials, as Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., presented the 86-year-old vet with medals that had been missing since his home in Lupton was burglarized. He told the group Charley’s story, how he had enlisted in Farmington in 1943, went to Georgia, El Paso, New York, England, France, Belgium and then Germany, where he was shot in the arm. After his injury, he spent time in California hospitals and when the war ended, he celebrated like everyone else.

“These medals should never have been taken from him,” Luján said and told the story of the World War II veteran’s daughter, Theresa Charley, and how she had told Sharmyn Muñoz, Lujan’s liaison in Gallup, her father’s story.

“Here we are today to return the Purple Heart that was taken from Charley,” Munoz said. “It is with great honor on behalf of the United States of America to return to you your Purple Heart.”

He handed him a new Purple Heart and then gave him other medals that were missing, a Bronze Star, an American Champion Medal, a World War II Victory Medal and a Combat Infantry Man First Award.

“We have a hero in our midst,” Luján said to the crowd, which gave Charley a standing ovation.

Charley’s daughter Theresa said she was hoping to get a motorized wheelchair from someone who was looking to donate it for his use said that it didn’t work because the battery was dead. “Also, the seat of the wheelchair was too small. He couldn’t fit in it.”

Charley’s family, including his sprightly 89-year old sister Eva Moffitt of Fruitland, came from Fruitland, Shiprock, Farmington and even as far away as Los Angeles to join Charley in his celebration. Everybody took family photos and then the group moved on to Golden Corral, who hosted lunch for the World War II hero and his family.