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Lafayette area soldier's military medals replaced

Photo provided by U.S. Army

The family of a Lafayette area soldier who died in Vietnam more than four decades ago has his military medals. Corporal William Carter was in the Army for less than a year before he was killed in action.

His widow, Erma, says medals awarded for his service were taken, and she’s trying to replace them for their son and grandchildren. The last one, the Purple Heart Medal, was presented during a ceremony Monday at the Indiana Veterans Home.

"I'm just lost for words, because it means so much," she says. "I thought, 'Oh no, they're always going to be gone.'"

Carter says she realized there must be a way to get replacement medals, so she just started calling around to see.

"(William) has always been with us and we're so grateful," she says.

Dozens of veterans paid tribute to Carter, who was killed in combat 1967. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, an Expert Badge with Pistol Bar and Tank Weapon Bar, and a Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar.