It was an honor for a former soldier from Lackawanna County 40 years after his time in Vietnam.
It was a special ceremony at Genetti's in Wilkes-Barre to honor one man's heroism.
"The president of the United States of America has awarded the Silver Star to Private First Class Paul J. Wedlock, United States Army," the loudspeaker sounded on Friday evening.
Congressman Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, pinned the Silver Star onto Paul Wedlock of Scranton.
In 1969 Wedlock was 19 years old and serving with the U.S. Army in South Vietnam. During one firefight, he crawled across a battlefield to pull his severely wounded commanding officer to safety.
"I don't feel like I'm a hero, no not at all, not at all, it's just one of the things we do that's our job being in infantry," PFC Wedlock said of his bravery.
Though Wedlock's display of courage happened 40 years ago, it was the recent efforts of Veterans' Outreach Center employee Ruth Gonzalez that finally earned him the Army's third highest honor.
"I'm so proud of him. The heroics he displayed that day on that battlefield to save that man's life is just uncommon valor. He represents everything good in America today," Gonzalez said of Wedlock.
Wedlock's former battalion commander said the medal is long overdue.
"My reaction is one of great pride. It is richly deserved. I had no idea that he had not been recognized for his bravery," retired Col. Forest Rittgers said.
"Just full of pride today, family and friends are all here. It was a long wait but it's over with," PFC Wedlock said.
The man who Paul Wedlock saved spoke by phone at the ceremony in Wilkes-Barre. He called Wedlock his hero and said he represents the best of America.
It was a special ceremony at Genetti's in Wilkes-Barre to honor one man's heroism.
"The president of the United States of America has awarded the Silver Star to Private First Class Paul J. Wedlock, United States Army," the loudspeaker sounded on Friday evening.
Congressman Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, pinned the Silver Star onto Paul Wedlock of Scranton.
In 1969 Wedlock was 19 years old and serving with the U.S. Army in South Vietnam. During one firefight, he crawled across a battlefield to pull his severely wounded commanding officer to safety.
"I don't feel like I'm a hero, no not at all, not at all, it's just one of the things we do that's our job being in infantry," PFC Wedlock said of his bravery.
Though Wedlock's display of courage happened 40 years ago, it was the recent efforts of Veterans' Outreach Center employee Ruth Gonzalez that finally earned him the Army's third highest honor.
"I'm so proud of him. The heroics he displayed that day on that battlefield to save that man's life is just uncommon valor. He represents everything good in America today," Gonzalez said of Wedlock.
Wedlock's former battalion commander said the medal is long overdue.
"My reaction is one of great pride. It is richly deserved. I had no idea that he had not been recognized for his bravery," retired Col. Forest Rittgers said.
"Just full of pride today, family and friends are all here. It was a long wait but it's over with," PFC Wedlock said.
The man who Paul Wedlock saved spoke by phone at the ceremony in Wilkes-Barre. He called Wedlock his hero and said he represents the best of America.
