Maloy "Ole" Moniken, of Baldwin, Wis., formally received

Maloy "Ole" Moniken, of Baldwin, Wis., formally received the Purple Heart in a ceremony held at VFW Post 305 in Eau Claire, on August 22, 2019. Senator Tammy Baldwin presented the award that Moniken earned when wounded in Vietnam in 1970. When Moniken left the service in the months that followed, his award did not appear on his separation document, Department of Defense Form 214. He wrote the Army to set the record straight. The Army acknowledged the oversight, nearly a year after the incident, and corrected the file. They also mailed his medal to him; but, did not conduct an award ceremony. The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded on behalf of the President to those wounded or killed while serving with any branch of the U.S. Military, on or after April 5, 1917. Moniken was badly wounded in an explosion when the Jeep he was driving struck a land mine. "I had put sandbags on the floor of the Jeep that day," he said. "If I hadn't, I don't think I'd be standing here."
The 88th Readiness Division provided the colorguard for the ceremony. 88th Readiness Division representatives included U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador William Bissonette and Colonel Steve Shumway, whom attended to pay tribute to Moniken and his family. The ceremony was largely arranged by Moniken's daughters, Jessica Hanson and Katie Kuznacic. In addition to Baldwin, Wisconsin State Assembly Representative Patty Schactner, District 10, attended and presented Moniken a Wisconsin state award honoring his service and courage. Moniken was also presented with the Army Good Conduct Medal. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class John Freese)