Key West Veteran Alvin Alce to be Formally Issued A Purple Heart for Wounds Incurred While Serving in Vietnam

KEY WEST, FL – With the help of Monroe County Veterans Affairs, Key West resident and Army Veteran Alvin Alce will be formally issued a Purple Heart for wounds incurred as a direct result of enemy action while serving in Vietnam. He will be presented the Purple Heart in a ceremony on Monday, Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. at Harvey Government Center in Key West. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony. Aug. 7 is National Purple Heart Day, a day to remember and honor the men and women who bravely represented their country and were wounded or killed while serving.

Alce was one of 372 Americans wounded in the Battle For Hamburger Hill when he was hit several times by enemy small arms fire. 

In December 2019, Monroe County Veterans Affairs discovered Alce was never formally issued the Purple Heart for the wounds he suffered during combat in Vietnam. Monroe County Veterans Affairs petitioned the Department of the Army to formally correct his official military personnel record, which is now complete.

ALVIN ALCE’S BIO

Alce was born Dec. 17, 1949 in Key West and was drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1968. He was honorably discharged on Aug. 1, 1970. His decorations include the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device, and now a Purple Heart for his dedicated service to the United States. He served in the 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry, Americal Division, and the 101st Airborne Division.