Vietnam vet presented medal

From Hattiesburgamerican: Vietnam vet presented medal
Steve L. Bounds was drafted into the U.S. Army on March 20, 1968. And it wasn't long after completing basic training at Fort Polk, La., that he found himself in the middle of the Vietnam War.

While deployed in Vietnam, Spc. 4 Bounds served as a wireman and was awarded the Silver Star Award for gallantry in action to restore communications between companies and the battalion operations center while under enemy fire.

But before Bounds was able to receive his award, he was released on a hardship discharge - it was a paperwork discrepancy that prevented him from properly receiving the award.

That all changed on Thursday when Bounds of Sumrall was presented the Silver Star Award by Maj. Gen. William L. Freeman, adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard, at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby.

"It is a good feeling and it's well deserved," Bounds said. "I am more nervous receiving the award today than I was when I earned it in the war."

Bounds' nephew, Staff Sgt. Lathan Newby, first found out about his uncle's military achievements when he was experiencing some ill health.

Bounds had his original orders that were sent to his house and a copy of his military personnel record.

The award orders were dated one day after Bounds' discharge from the Army.

It was Bounds' wish to get it corrected. He thought his children might appreciate the Silver Star medal that he earned and wanted to have it to hand down to his family in the future.

Newby began the process of correcting the award with his company commander of the 3656th Component Repair Company, 1st Lt. Chris Paul. The process went through their higher headquarters, Joint Force Headquarters Mississippi National Guard, National Guard Bureau, and then to Human Resources Command for the Army. After requesting the correction through the proper channels, the concern about Bounds' health was a means for urgency.

Newby requested permission from his chain of command to seek additional assistance through Congressman Steven Palazzo's office, which lent a hand in the process of getting Bounds his decades-overdue honor.

Palazzo was on hand for Thursday's presentation.

When Bounds was asked about being a war hero he said, "I don't think so much that I am a war hero. I don't consider myself a war hero. I was just out there doing my job."

Newby said he was proud to see his uncle receive the award he deserved.

Bounds is married to Ann Martin Bounds and they have four children - Junior Bounds of Sumrall, Sharon Jean Bryant of Lumberton, Shelton Bounds of Lumberton and Jake Bounds of Purvis.