Korean War Marine, 94, Finally Gets Purple Heart After Seven Decades

Marine Corps veteran Rex Comley received an honor that was long overdue.  

At 94 years old, Comley, of Johnson County, Kansas, was given the Purple Heart he earned serving in the Korean War but had never received until a special ceremony at American Legion Post 0370 in Overland Park, Kansas, on Sunday. 

Comley, who served in the Marine Corps from 1951 to 1954 and became a sergeant, was recognized as a Purple Heart honoree on his military records but he never received the medal for his service. 

“It’s something I didn’t know I had coming,” Comley told KSHB in Kansas City. “But I knew that I never got caught up with the Purple Heart, even though I was entitled to one.” 

While memories fade through seven decades, Comley said he still thinks about the troops he served with. 

“I remember the good times, I don’t remember the bad times, but I remember a lot of the fellas I was with that didn’t make it back,” Comley said.

Clerical Mishap Likely Led to Mistake 

Humble like most veterans, Comley never made a fuss about not receiving his Purple Heart. But when he mentioned it in a conversation with Don Puchalla, chaplain of the Lenexa Marine Corps League and father of a Gold Star Marine, the drive to get Comley his medal began.  

Comley noticed the Marine Corps hat Puchalla was wearing and the two began talking, which led to Puchalla mentioning his son was killed in action. Like swinging open a door, Comley shared more stories from his time in the Marines, telling Puchalla that he was a Purple Heart recipient, but the medal was never sent to him. 

“When he told me he got wounded and how he got wounded, I said, ‘Oh, you’re a Purple Heart recipient,’” Puchalla said. “And he said, ‘Well, on my paperwork I am, but I never received it.’” 

It’s likely that a mistake in paperwork led to Comley not receiving his Purple Heart following the end of the war in 1953. More than 50,000 American troops were wounded in battle, and with no computerized system to file meritorious honors back then, unfortunately, Comley’s award got lost in the shuffle. 

“Think about 1952-53, typewriters, papers, clerks, a lot of Marines, Army, all branches in Korea,” Puchalla said. “There were like 50,000 wounded, and paper trails get lost. At least it did follow him on his military paperwork from exiting the Marine Corps, so it was official; he just never got the award.”

Several local veterans’ organizations in Kansas stepped up on Comley’s behalf and, on Sunday, he finally got to hold the Purple Heart he’s spent seven decades waiting for. Family and friends attended the ceremony, including Ashley Steineger, Comley’s granddaughter. 

“If you’ve had the chance to meet him, you won’t forget him. He’s 94 and has the best stories!” Steineger said in a Facebook post. “He’s so selfless and has never met a stranger, which makes today even more amazing. It all came to be after a conversation with someone working in his neighborhood. That goes to show the impression he leaves on people.” 

Steineger said the ceremony was a perfect way to honor her grandfather. 

“The number of people who showed up for him was incredible and so humbling,” she said. “Numerous organizations joined in to present items to him. One of the coolest being a service dog that will be named after him that will support a veteran.” 

His grandson, Shaun Comley, was especially touched by Sunday’s celebration, having spent 24 years in the Air Force. 

“He’s part of one of the last truly great generations,” Shaun Comley said. “And to see that recognition, the Purple Heart ... it’s not an award that any military member sets out to earn, but he did. It’s just close to my heart. It’s him, it’s who he was.” 

Thinking about his own military career, Comley was honored to be there to see his grandfather’s service be recognized. 

“With me serving, it touches home. It definitely means a lot. He didn’t ask for recognition. He’ll never raise his hand and say, ‘Look at what I did,’” Shaun Comley said. “For people to take time out of their day and for the country to pin that medal on his chest, it’s amazing.” 

Not only did Sunday’s ceremony right a wrong, but it also reminded Comley that his sacrifice mattered, even in Korea, sometimes labeled a “forgotten war” wedged between World War II and Vietnam. 

“For Rex, it wasn’t so much getting the medal, it’s more about recognizing your sacrifice. You did something that very few people will do and understand,” Puchalla said. “He left high school to do this. That takes love of country, and I think it’s important they finally realize, get that warm feeling that what they did was not in vain, not forgotten.” 

A Marine Stays Humble 

While Comley enjoyed sharing his special moment with friends and family, and being in the limelight for a day, the veteran was quick to mention there are higher accolades than a Purple Heart. 

“To me, I think about the guys that went way above and beyond the duty, that got medals like the Bronze Star, Silver Stars, Medal of Honor,” Comley said. “Those are the actual heroes.” 

So, after finally receiving his medal, does he consider himself a hero? 

“No, I don’t at all. It makes me think I was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said. 

Comley credits staying active for his longevity, and the love of his wife of 65 years, who keeps him grounded. 

“I have a lot of fun. I’ve had a good life,” Comley said.

Similar to Comley, there are likely other Korean War veterans still waiting for their honors. Sunday’s event highlighted the work veteran organizations are doing to make sure all soldiers from the war in Korea receive what they’ve earned before they die. Most are in their nineties. 

“We don’t know what hard times are; they know what hard times are,” Puchalla said. “They gave up all their careers, their school, to go take care of the country.”