(USCENTCOM photo by Sgt. Fredrick J. Coleman)TAMPA (FOX 13) -
After 46 years, a veteran of the Vietnam War was awarded the Bronze Star at MacDill Air Force Base.
Sgt. Robert French received the medal in a ceremony Wednesday.
French served in the Army as a radioman in the South Vietnam Mekong Delta.
On June 19, 1967, he and approximately 300 other soldiers were ambushed. During the next three days, 47 Americans were killed. French was shot in his back.
He was rescued by a chaplain and flown out by helicopter. Others were not so lucky: three out of four helicopters sent in to rescue wounded soldiers were shot down.
French was nominated for the medal by his platoon commander two years ago. He received the award in front of his friends and family, including his 12-year-old granddaughter.
