LAKE ISABELLA, CA - A big honor Saturday that is long overdue for a Korean War Veteran.
Peter Pappas was born in Tehachapi in 1928. He was drafted and served in the Army from November 1950 to September 1952, during the Korean War. He was wounded in battle, but recovered and went back to the front lines.
Pappas was awarded the Purple Heart Saturday, the National Defense Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal and Double Bronze Star attachment, a 50th Anniversary Korean War Service Medal, a Combat Infantryman Badge - 1st award and a United Nations Service Medal.
Pappas said, "I got remarried, my wife seen my papers, she said you got awards coming, why didn't you put in for them I said, you know, it's been 60 years, I ain't worried about it but, she said you earned them go ahead and get them."
After serving in the Army, Mr. Pappas worked as a lineman for California Electric and then Southern California Edison until his retirement in 1986. He was in the Military Honor Guard for three years in Lake Isabella playing taps at all local funeral services for veterans. He continues to play the trumpet with a local band at the Lake Isabella Senior Center and the Moose Lodge.
Peter Pappas was born in Tehachapi in 1928. He was drafted and served in the Army from November 1950 to September 1952, during the Korean War. He was wounded in battle, but recovered and went back to the front lines.
Pappas was awarded the Purple Heart Saturday, the National Defense Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal and Double Bronze Star attachment, a 50th Anniversary Korean War Service Medal, a Combat Infantryman Badge - 1st award and a United Nations Service Medal.
Pappas said, "I got remarried, my wife seen my papers, she said you got awards coming, why didn't you put in for them I said, you know, it's been 60 years, I ain't worried about it but, she said you earned them go ahead and get them."
After serving in the Army, Mr. Pappas worked as a lineman for California Electric and then Southern California Edison until his retirement in 1986. He was in the Military Honor Guard for three years in Lake Isabella playing taps at all local funeral services for veterans. He continues to play the trumpet with a local band at the Lake Isabella Senior Center and the Moose Lodge.