WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement following the Army Review Boards Agency’s decision to award St. Peter native Earl Meyer the Purple Heart for his service in the Korean War. Senator Klobuchar worked with the Army and the Meyer family to secure this recognition after it was initially denied.

“Earl Meyer put his life on the line in defense of our freedoms, and we are forever indebted to him for his service. Earl earned this Purple Heart, and I am so glad that we were able to work with his family and the Army to get him the recognition he deserves,” said Klobuchar.

Earl Meyer served in World War II as a Merchant Mariner and in the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Army. Mr. Meyer received the Congressional Gold Medal for his service as a member of the Merchant Marines.

In 2022, Klobuchar helped pass the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, which recognized the merchant mariners for their service in the war. There are roughly 12,000 surviving merchant mariners, each of whom is eligible to receive the bronze replica of the award.

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