Local vet gets Purple Heart more than 60 years after earning it

(10/22/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- He served as a paratrooper from 1943 to 1945. He fought during four campaigns. He stands only 5'5", but his bravery made him 10 feet tall. And Private First Class Eduardo Peniche finally got his Purple Heart Monday, 62 years after nearly dying in WWII.

Peniche was 17 years old when he volunteered in the Army air corps. He wanted to be a pilot, but ended up a paratrooper. And in September 1943, he found himself surrounded for seven days by Germans in the Battle of the Bulge.

"It was the bloodiest day in the Baston perimeter," said Peniche.

He was injured by shrapnel and shot twice. Yet he was able to destroy three enemy tanks and later crawled 150 feet under heavy fire to an Army command post where he reported his injured buddies.

"The concussion knocked my jaw and shoulder out of place and I was bleeding from the nose and ears. And that's when I prayed with fervor, in English and in Spanish," said Peniche.

Peniche was awarded the Purple Heart in 1945, but overlooked was the fact that he'd been injured that day twice in two separate instances. Because of a clerical error, only recently corrected, he received his second Purple Heart Monday, 62 years later.

"And so it took time to figure that out," said retired Army Col. John Antal. "And when it was finally brought to the attention of the right authorities, it was approved."

Born in Mexico, Peniche finally became a U.S. citizen in January 1953, a decade after the Germans nearly ended his life. He is, to this day, a grateful, loyal American. And today's honor was almost too much for words.

"Taking two hits for Uncle Sam was worth it," he said.

Peniche went on to become a college professor, and served as a military consultant during the Vietnam war. He says he's looking forward to living out his remaining days close to family, which now includes six grandchildren.

Peniche has also been awarded two Bronze Stars, and the Vietnam service medal. And if that's not enough, he also speaks seven languages.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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