Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Certificate |
Catalog Number |
2018.107.27 |
Date |
1968 |
Material(s) |
Paper/Ink |
Dimensions |
H-8 W-10.5 inches |
Description |
This is a certificate for the Purple Heart. It has a full-color representation of the ribbon and medal at the top and a gold United States of America War Office seal at the bottom. This certificate was awarded to Specialist Four Donald R. Houston for wounds received in action on 23 February 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. It was presented October 31, 1968 and is signed by MG George I. Forsythe (1st Cavalry Division) and Stanley R. Resor (Secretary of the Army). The general's signature is stamped and the secretary's signature is printed. |
Notes |
Donald R. Houston was born in Murray, Kentucky on August 3, 1946. He served in the United States Army as a Sergeant (E-5) from 1967 to 1969. During this time, he was deployed to Vietnam. Houston was assigned to Company A, 2/12th Cavalry. He received four battle stars including one for Battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive and one for Battle of Khe Sanh. Sergeant Houston's unit was among the first Army units in the valley to relieve the Marines. After his tour in Vietnam, SGT Houston returned to Kentucky. In November 1969, Houston was born again at the East Baptist Church in Paducah Kentucky. He married Helen Moorefield in December 1970 and they welcomed a daughter, Cristina, in 1978. Houston earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972 and an M.A. in Education in 1973 from Murray State University. He taught in the Union City Schools System and served in the Tennessee National Guard helping develop lesson plans for training. In 1977, Houston earned an M.S. degree in Ind. Ed. and an M.S. in Vocational Technical Education from Murray State University. Brother Houston was ordained a Minister in 1984 and has served as a Pastor since that time. He received a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary (Lithonia, GA) in 1987. Dr. Houston has taught theology at the Global Theological Seminary in Uganda and has served on missions to Southern Sudan. Since 2016, he has served as President of the J.H. Spencer Historical Society. Dr. Houston was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Matthew G. Bevin on the 19th of October, 2018. |
Media Links |
Donald Houston Interview by WPSD Local 6 |
Collection |
Donald R. Houston Collection |
Event |
Vietnam War |
People |
Houston, Donald R., 1946- |
Subjects |
Military personnel War Battles Cavalry Medals Certificates |
Search Terms |
1st Cavalry Division 12th Cavalry Regiment |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |