Community Corner
LOOK: Wiggins Place Resident Awarded Purple Heart
Army Pvt. Donald Arnold was presented the medal Monday at Wiggins Place.
's front lobby was standing-room only Monday when resident Donald Arnold was awarded a Purple Heart for an act of valor 67 years ago.
"It was a long wait," he said. "But my wife was the one who went after it. She wouldn't give up. She finally got it through ... I was ready to give up, but she wouldn't. So I owe it all to her."
But Arnold, who graduated from Cleveland Heights High School and lived in Shaker Heights for several years, did not mind that it took nearly seven decades to receive the award. "That doesn't matter. It's what happened in the end that counts."
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Arnold was quiet while Brown told the crowd of friends, family and press Arnold's story — after being wounded during a battle in World War II Germany, Arnold removed the shrapnel from his own leg and went on to treat his comrades.
He was the only medic left alive that day.
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Arnold was humbled by the outpouring of support from the community.
"I'm thrilled. My heart's beating a mile a minute. This doesn't happen to anybody very often. It really means a lot to me."
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