While not a soldier who gave his life in battle, my grandfather, Marion Don DeShon, is at the forefront of my heart and mind today. He made great sacrifices on behalf of our country during war times, and today I'm remembering him and giving thanks for him and countless others who have fought to preserve our freedoms.
In March of this year, my grandfather was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in the course of battle. Those wounds suffered in battle forever changed his life, and that of his wife and children. Their sacrifice has been great, and today I'm grateful for the gift of his life, for his willingness to lay down his life, so that his granddaughter and all those of my generation and generations to come might live in freedom.
This man I knew only as grandfather was gentle, quiet, the glue that held his family together. In his later years he loved to dance (four square, ballroom, country, swing, etc.) and had the most beautiful white hair. I used to think my grandfather was among the most handsome of older men (I guess I still do). Full of shortcomings and mistakes, yet he was honored and respected among those who knew him. He was also the only person I ever met who could keep my grandmother in line (the DeShon women have wild tongues, as many of you know because you know me, but he could tame hers with a word). Today I wish to honor his memory by giving thanks for his dedicated service to our country all those years ago.
Below is the text of an article that appeared in the Manhattan Mercury about the awarding of his purple heart.
The Manhattan Mercury (KS)
March 26, 2010
U.S. Army awards Purple Heart 66 years later to deceased soldier
Author: Brad Dornes, Contributing Writer
Page: a1
It took almost 66 years but the U.S. Army finally awarded the Purple Heart posthumously to Master Sergeant Marion DeShon Friday. The presentation to surviving members of the recipient's family took place during a ceremony at St. Mary's Chapel on post. During World War II, there was so much going on that information got destroyed by fires and bombings and the Army just [couldn't] keep up with [it], said Lt. Col. Mathew VanWagenen.
The family with the help of Rep. Sam Graves (of Missouri) was really responsible [for] getting the paperwork pushed through so that we could make this ceremony happen.
DeShon, a Missouri native, enlisted in the Army in 1943 and helped the Allied Forces storm Utah Beach during the Normandy invasion in WWII. From 1944-45, he was part of a unit that drove across France and Germany, serving in such storied campaigns as the Hurtgen Forest, Remagen and the Battle of the Bulge. During his time in Europe he was injured four times.
He was awarded the Purple Heart a year and 2 weeks after his death. The Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, is awarded to individuals both for wounds received in action against the enemy and for meritorious performance of duty. "It is a great honor to have been a part of this ceremony," VanWagenen said. "It was a shame it took so long and I want to express my sincere regret to the family about that but in the end he got he got what he deserved."
After returning from Europe in 1946, DeShon was assigned to Fort Riley, where he met and married Shirrel Wilson. "This is a very emotional time," Wilson said. "We were married right here and now I am back here with my entire family to receive this great honor."
Besides the Purple Heart, DeShon's awards and decorations include the French Croix De Guerre.
[DeShon] is survived by his wife, Shirrel DeShon, daughters, Lynn DeShon, Lucinda Sortman, Paula Sue DeShon and Melinda Allen; son [Don] DeShon; as well as eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
All material copyright (c) 2010 Seaton Publishing Co., Inc.
Record Number: 12ECD4F50E935E78
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