Cedar Rapids veteran receives long-delayed military medals

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids veteran of the Vietnam War was presented with a Purple Heart and other medals Friday, more than five decades after he finished his military service.

Dan McDowell, 78, served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968. He was wounded in action Feb. 16, 1967, and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Combat Action Ribbon.

“For those of you that are unfamiliar with the Combat Action Ribbon, that means that a Marine was deployed serving in combat and was engaged with the enemy,” Dustin Peterson, director of Linn County Veterans Affairs, said during the presentation ceremony at the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids.

“Dan stepped up, stepped into the gap, and defended his country, defended the Marines to his left and his right.”

Peterson said the Purple Heart medal is awarded to those who have been wounded or killed in battle and “is one of the highest medals that can be bestowed upon somebody and definitely worthy of our praise.”

During the course of his service, McDowell also earned a Presidential Unit citation, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.

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McDowell received some of the medals and badges before finishing his service and some after his honorable discharge. He didn’t know about the extra medals until he went to a battalion reunion a couple of years ago and found out his unit had been awarded the presidential unit citation.

He reached out to the office of U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, which helped him get his missing awards.

“They did all the legwork and contacted the right officials and everything, and now I guess I’ve got them all,” McDowell said.

Hinson presented the medals to McDowell at the ceremony, which was attended by many of McDowell’s friends and family members.

“I just want to thank Rep. Hinson and the courtesy she bestowed on me. … I just really appreciate it,” McDowell said.

McDowell spent part of his time in the Marines as a chaplain. After finishing his service and settling with his family in Cedar Rapids, he started volunteering with Hope CDA, a nonprofit that helps men seeking to overcome addiction through spiritual support.

He worked at Quaker Oats for 35 years before he retired.

“I am humbled to have this opportunity to properly recognize and thank you for your service and sacrifice,” Hinson told McDowell during the presentation.

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