It's never too late: vietnam veteran awarded purple heart after decades of perseverance | va salisbury health care | veterans affairs

In June 1969, as 19-year-old U.S. Army soldier Theo Muhammad lay recovering in a U.S. military hospital bed in Japan from second and third-degree burns, he never imagined the additional and

invisible struggles he would face once his physical injuries began to heal. Muhammad sustained the wounds during his first combat mission while serving on a tank crew during the Vietnam War.

Unfortunately, during the mission, his tank was struck twice by enemy rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) engulfing the vehicle in flames.  Muhammad was assigned as a grenadier stationed on

top of the tank. During the attack, he was jolted into the flames that were towards the rear of the tank.  Trapped, panicking, in pain, and in shock, Muhammad recalled thinking he would lose

his life when he suddenly heard a voice calling out asking if there was anyone else still on the tank.  Muhammad said he gathered up his strength and yelled out for help. One of his crew

members named Sam reached down where he was and pulled him to safety, saving his life. To this day, he and Sam are still friends.  Shortly after, Muhammad was medically evacuated to Japan to

recover from his severe injuries. He sustained second and third-degree burns on one-third of his body and was hospitalized for two months.  Faced with the daunting reality he would have to

return to the war in Vietnam, Muhammad refused to return and admitted to going AWOL for a short period.  However, before he was to be sent back to Vietnam, President Nixon began gradually

shifting tactical responsibility to South Vietnamese troops, enabling Muhammad to stay on base and not return to the battlefield.  As his body began to heal, Muhammad remembered emotionally

and mentally being in distress. Looking back, he realized he was experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He distinctly recalled feeling there was nowhere to turn to or how to

process the trauma he had just experienced. PTSD AND VETERANS It wasn't until 1980, that PTSD was added to the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

(DSM-III) by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The classification of the disorder came after extensive research was completed on returning Vietnam War Veterans, Holocaust

survivors, sexual trauma victims, and others, per the APA. Before 1980, Veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD were often classified as having “shellshock,” a “soldier's heart,” and

“war neurosis,” according to the National Library of Medicine.  Research from the National Center for PTSD states 10 out of 100 Vietnam Veterans will be diagnosed with PTSD at some point in

their lives.  VA proudly offers nearly 200 PTSD treatment programs to assist Veterans. These services include 1 to 1 mental health assessment and testing, psychotherapy, family and group

therapy, medication proven to treat PTSD and more.  To learn more about the PTSD services here at VA, visit www.va.ptsd.gov.  LIFE AFTER THE MILITARY After leaving the military with an

undesirable discharge, Muhammad’s life began to spiral out of control; he made several wrong decisions and had to pay heavy consequences for those actions -- all the while not realizing it

stemmed from the trauma he experienced that fateful day in 1969. “I want it to be known that my life changed when I became a Muslim, a member of the Nation of Islam,” said Muhammad. “It is

important to me that this is emphasized because from that point on my life began to go in the right direction.”  Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad, 74, now works in security

and guest services at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Throughout his life after his military service, Muhammad has been a business owner and worked with

children's organizations and departments of recreation in different cities. He also became a father and grandfather.  In June 2024, Muhammad was finally awarded a Purple Heart by the

U.S. Army during a ceremony for him shining a spotlight on his service and bravery more than 55 years after suffering his injuries in Vietnam.  At its core, the Purple Heart symbolizes

bravery, courage, selflessness, and sacrifice – key components that also represent Muhammad and his life’s journey.  Muhammad wants to thank all who attended the ceremony and sends a special

thanks to Veterans Bridge Home and the various VA services that assisted him along the way in advocating for his Purple Heart.  He hopes this recognition will inspire others to never give

up and let them know it's never too late to turn their life around for the better. “It really lifted my spirit in ways that it had not been lifted since I left the military. Never give

up the fight to get it right.”   Looking to the future, Muhammad would like to finally retire, travel, and set up a college fund for his children and grandchildren. For more information on

this story, email the Office of Strategic Communications & Public Affairs at [email protected].  ABOUT THE SALISBURY VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM At the Salisbury VA Health Care

System, our mission is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.  Learn more at 

www.va.gov/salisbury-health-care.