Last week, U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) presented local Korean War Veteran Edwin Gene Benedix with a Purple Heart medal for his service in the U.S. Army.

The Purple Heart is awarded to U.S. Armed Services members who, while serving in any capacity after April 5, 1917, have been wounded or killed in battle.

"Several of his friends convinced him to contact my office when they learned that he'd never received his medal for his service in the Army during the Korean War," stated Denham on his Facebook page.

Denham added, "My staff and I also secured a Korean War Ambassador of Peace medal for Gene as a surprise."

Denham presented Benedix with a Korean War Ambassador of Peace medal, which is a memento for veterans who served in the war as an expression of appreciation from the South Korean government. The Medal was initially presented to veterans who returned to South Korea through the Revisit Program, but has since been extended to veterans who cannot make the journey to Korea.

Benedix, who just turned 85 years old, was presented with the medals by Denham at the Gladys L. Lemmons Senior Community Center in Oakdale.