A Vietnam veteran received a long overdue Purple Heart today.

Gunter Harter, who had immigrated to America from Germany, was initially assigned to be an interpreter for U.S. forces but was instead sent to Vietnam.

"I am very proud," says Harter. "I am very glad I got it. It finally came through."

Harter's wartime injuries include severe hearing loss and Agent Orange poisoning. In 1968, Harter's platoon was ambushed and only he and three others out of 133 survived.

Rep. Steve Israel and his staff worked to unravel what was holding up the award and get Harter the recognition he deserved.

"These were people who are willing to risk their lives, and it shouldn't always come down to a mistake by the bureaucracy that didn't give them what they deserve," says Israel. "It's just not acceptable."