Congressman Zach Wamp has presented a Kingston man with seven medals for combat service in the Korean War - almost 50 years to the day after he earned them.

In a special ceremony at the Roane County Courthouse, Wamp presented seven medals to Witson Smith: Purple Heart, Good Conduct, Army Occupation, National Defense, Korean Service, Combat Infantryman Badge, and United Nations Service Medal. He had previously received a Bronze Star.

"Mr. Smith was right in the middle of some of the most intense and desperate combat of the Korean War during August and September 1950," Wamp said. "He was wounded three times and suffers the effects of those injuries to this day. He was with the 24th U.S. Army Infantry Division that helped fight off the North Korean Army and eventually broke out of the Pusan Perimeter at the Southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. What the Army did then helped to make sure that South Korea, is a democratic, prosperous and peaceful nation today.

"For several years, Mr. Smith has been trying to get the medals he earned a half a century ago. About two years ago, he came to our office and asked for help. Fortunately, we were able to assist him in getting the medals he earned so long ago. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is having the chance to present medals to former servicemen like Mr. Smith who did so much for our country."

"The Korean War has been called 'The Forgotten War,' but it should NEVER be forgotten." Wamp said. "It helped preserve a Democratic South Korea, and the firm stand we took for freedom there helped us win the Cold War."

"Several years ago, my office helped Mr. Smith get the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon he was due," Wamp said. "I am glad that after a half century he finally has the medals for which he suffered so much."

Smith, now 68, was one of only 86 of the 2,000 soldiers in the 24th Division's 34th regiment who survived the battle of the Pusan Perimeter. He was wounded in the hand and nose. He also received a shrapnel wound to his left leg when he stepped on a land mine, and complications from that injury caused the amputation of that leg two years ago.

Smith can still recall the intense combat he and his fellow soldiers faced in Korea that desperate summer 50 years ago. At one point, they were outnumbered 20-1 by the North Korean Army. "I had a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle). My friend was a machine gunner. We would fire as fast as we could and never kill them all. They would come forward banging gongs and pots and pans. When someone was killed they'd pick up his rifle and use it."

He is thankful to have his medals after half a century.

"Zach Wamp is the only one who has tried to help me," said Smith. "We wrote letters to Zach Wamp and we got a real good response from him. He has always voted for veterans. I appreciate him taking the time to get my medals."

Smith, a private first-class, served from January 1949 to November 13, 1951.