Staff Sgt. John L. Hooks, a Tuscaloosa resident, was presented the Purple Heart last Thursday in Bryant-Denny Stadium for a wound he received in Vietnam 43 years ago.

Hooks enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 1957 and was honorably discharged from service in February 1972. Hooks served three tours with the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam, one of which was served after receiving a gunshot wound in his left arm.

“It is truly an honor and privilege to be with you today to present what is a very long overdue Purple Heart to a distinguished American airman and genuine war hero,” said Lt. Gen. David S. Fadok, the commander and president of the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base.

Hooks winked at his family in attendance as Fadok handed the war hero the oldest known United States Decoration still in use, the Purple Heart.

“He is one of the quietest, sweet, kind-spirited men you will ever meet. He is so humble and kind, you would have never known he was a war hero,”Jared Patterson, Hooks’ nephew, said.

Hooks’ other awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 17 clusters, the Air Crew Member badge with wings, the Missile Mans Badge, the Good Conduct Medal with five loops, the Combat Readiness Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Viet Gallantry Cross with palm, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Air Force Longevity Ribbon.

When asked what the difference was between the awards he was presented while still in the Air Force and the Purple Heart he was presented decades later, Hooks said, “When I got the Distinguished Flying Cross, that was real nice, but to be able to have my family here is just really great.”