Vietnam War veteran gifts Trump his Purple Heart for taking bullet during Butler assassination attempt

FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA: A Vietnam War veteran gifted his Purple Heart to Donald Trump as a token for the courage the former president displayed after narrowly surviving the first assassination attempt in July.

The GOP presidential nominee received the memorable gift at a town hall in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Friday, October 4, as per the New York Post.

Vietnam War veteran couldn't think of anybody more deserving of a Purple Heart than Donald Trump

Rep Anna Paulina Luna, who was moderating the town hall, informed Donald Trump that someone from the audience wanted to gift him a "small token." A man named Dwight, a former Marine, made his way to the stage and handed over an envelope to the former president.

Luna read a letter Dwight wrote to the GOP nominee after his narrow escape from the would-be assassin's likely fatal bullet at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally. 

It read, "Dear President Trump, watching you during the Butler rally, and you getting back up, both my wife and I gave a sigh of relief as well as a few tears." 

"I would be honored if you would accept this small token I received as a young Marine in Vietnam. My wife and I both thought it appropriate. God bless you, your family, and the United States of America. Sincerely, Dwight," added the note. 

Examining the envelope, Trump joked that it looked like a check, saying, "It’s a check. It’s cash." 

The congresswoman who stood on stage informed the real estate mogul that it was Dwight's Purple Heart, a decoration awarded to service members injured or killed due to enemy action.

"I couldn’t think of anybody more deserving of a Purple Heart," told the veteran to Trump, recounting how the latter mouthed "fight, fight, fight" with his fists pumped into the air after the incident.

He added, "You didn't even have anything to shoot back at him. You got guts."

The Vietnam War veteran also noted that the wound Trump sustained on his ear was minor but could have been a terrible injury.

In response, the MAGA leader said he was "lucky" but suggested it might not have been just luck and implied that some other power could be involved in saving him.

Trump, who is scheduled to address supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday for the first time since the assassination attempt, said receiving Dwight’s Purple Heart was "a great honor."

It was in 2016 that the former president first received a Purple Heart as a gift. During a rally in Virginia for his first White House bid, a retired lieutenant colonel gifted the medal to the would-be president.

Internet blasts Donald Trump for accepting the Vietnam War veteran's Purple Heart

Netizens were outraged at Donald Trump for accepting the Purple Heart medal from the former Marine, with some pointed fingers at the former president's disparaging remarks about fallen US soldiers.

One said, "He's making fun of vets. Trump is a disgrace."

Another remarked, "Trump’s history of disrespecting and tarnishing veterans speaks volumes. From questioning the heroism of John McCain to reports of him calling fallen soldiers 'losers' and 'suckers,' his record with the military is far from honorable. This makes the moment even more surreal!"

"How disgustingly nauseating. The most undeserving individual EVER," wrote a person, and someone else added, "He’ll try to sell it online. Bad decision." 

"Wowwww. Just wow. Sad. He’s the last person on earth deserving of a purple heart. Jesus Christ," expressed an individual. 

One more chimed in, "Coming from a family who has served, lost life in service this is maybe the most disgusting stunt he has done to me. These medals transcend politics. They served their country not a party or a political movement. They served everyone. Soldiers don’t ask what party you’re in." 

"A true Commander in Chief would have never accepted this. He would have recognized what that Marine survived to receive it. Trump is an embarrassment and insult to our military," declared another person. 

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