PROVO — Surrounded by heavy crossfire, Sgt. Max Holman defied the odds.
While fighting in the Korean War, Holman was shot as his platoon was securing a hill on May 25, 1951.
"We were just going up there through that little valley and they caught us in a crossfire, and I got hit," said Holman, a resident of Santaquin. "It happened so quick."
A wallet tucked in his shirt pocket saved his life. A bullet went straight through his left arm, just below the elbow, and stopped after hitting his wallet.
"When I got out (of the battlefield) there was a bullet hole right there through the wallet," Holman recalls. "How it got a bullet hole straight through it without hitting me, I don't know. It didn't get my heart."
It took 52 years, but Holman finally received a medal for his heroics. U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, awarded Holman the Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice in the Korean War.
"It is an honor to issue the Purple Heart in honor of Mr. Holman's painful and dedicated service to our country in a time of great need," Cannon said. "We all support our veterans."
While the crowd of 60 people gave a standing ovation, a humble Holman took his award and said, "I sure do appreciate it."
The award comes at a time when Holman is seeking something to be happy about. With the recent deaths of his wife and daughter, the Purple Heart brings a little bit of joy during a dark time.
"It is good to finally see him happy," said granddaughter Mindy Fenn. "He's been having a hard time. It's been a couple of hard years."
Holman was transferred by jeep to a Korean hospital for surgery to stop the bleeding following the shooting. He was then sent to "some place in Japan" where he underwent additional surgery for his injuries.
After spending three months in a hospital, Holman was itching to get back to battle, even though his wounds weren't completely healed. Holman joined the 25th Division 35th regiment company B back in Korea.
"After about three months it (the wound) started getting better and they needed men, so they sent us back to the front," Holman said. "I still had bandages on it."
Today, without bandages, Holman proudly rolls up his sleeves and shows off his wounds. They are hard to find — a large tattoo sits below the scars. But it's not a tattoo of the Army insignia. On a dare from his buddies, Holman went with the Navy insignia.
"When we were young, we were daring each other to see which one would get the different (Armed Forces) tattoos." Acknowledging the embarrassment of his daring days, Holman added, "I was in the Army."
A crowd of family and friends surrounded Holman as he received the Purple Heart. Friends spent nine months pushing Congress to give Holman the award.
"We finally got it and we're very proud of him," said daughter Periann Isaacson, remembering the 52 years it took for her father to receive his award. "He deserves it after all this time."
E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com