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World War II veteran Albert Erd, 93, never forgot the price he paid to earn his military decorations, which include a Purple Heart and WWII victory medal, among others.
But 50 years ago, the unexpected happened and Erd's eight medals were gone in the blink of an eye.
Albert Erd remembers making the disappointing discovery 50 years ago.
Someone had climbed through a narrow opening in the storage garage he was renting in Torrance and made off with his personal belongings.
While some of the items were easy to replace, others were priceless: Erd’s military uniform, Purple Heart and seven other medals he earned as an Army Air Corps sergeant in WWII were all gone.
The only piece of regalia left was the pair of Air Force wings he had given to his mother.
Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) presented Sergeant Albert Erd (93) with replacement medals for ones that were stolen many years ago.
Manhattan Beach - Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) presented Sergeant Albert Erd (93) with replacement medals for ones that were stolen many years ago.
Sergeant Erd beamed with pride as he recounted to Congressman Lieu his service in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, which included being a radio operator on the B-17 Flying Fortress during the European Campaign that flew over Germany and Romania. He was also a gunner, completing 50 missions in total.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in light of Veteran Service Organizations and leading Veteran advocates expressing deep fears that the Trump Administration may privatize healthcare for our nation’s Veterans.
LOS ANGELES - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day, being held tomorrow on November 11, 2016.
Lawmakers representing the Southland are joining the chorus of politicians calling on the Pentagon and the California National Guard to stop demanding repayment of enlistment bonuses that were granted incorrectly to service members.
Some legislators have also called for a House of Representatives probe into the matter and for a legislative fix to be passed.
A decade ago, the Pentagon wrongly awarded substantial bonuses to thousands of people to induce them to enlist in the National Guard. Now, the department has realized its mistake and wants the money repaid.
But that demand is unfair to the soldiers who served in good faith. It should be dropped.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
A measure authorizing leases at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs building that will lead to permanent supportive housing to homeless veterans was signed into law by President Barack Obama Thursday.
The law authored by Reps. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, and Jeff Miller, R- Florida, would give the VA secretary the ability to enter into leases that allow housing and supportive services at the building.
A plan announced earlier this year calls for 1,200 units to be made available to homeless veterans at the facility.