Pueblo Vietnam War veteran receives his medals almost 40 years after the war ended

He has waited almost 40 years, but on Friday a Pueblo Vietnam War veteran received his medals from the war.

Former Army Spc. Clarence Archuleta earned his medal for his acts of bravery during the Vietnam War.

Congressman Scott Tipton awarded him 10 medals which included the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, Sharpshooter Badge with Mortar Bar, Marksman Badge with Pistol Bar, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with “60” Device, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation, First Class.

“I felt relieved; it’s been 40 years since I seen them, it felt pretty good,” Archuleta said.

Before he got his medals, Archuleta said it wasn’t always glorious being a Vietnam War veteran.

“Nobody cared, it wasn’t like how we thought, it was just real quiet, real still; it was like we are back but no one cared,” he said.

And there wasn’t a celebration when he came home.

“It was different for us because there was no TV, no gathering, it was just off the bus to another bus and to home, we got nothing,” Archuleta said.

That’s when his stepson stepped up to help get his stepdad his medals. He said he wanted to give his stepdad the recognition he wants.

Now that has his medals, he’s thankful to pass something on to his family.

“That’s the thing I was thinking about when it came time but I feel very proud that they are going to be here with them when the time comes,” he said.

Tipton said the reason why it took so long to get the medals is because it is a long process to search through records and to make sure the correct requirements are met to receive a medal.

The Pueblo Veterans Council said there are more than 5,000 Vietnam War veterans in Pueblo.