Veteran gets bronze star decades later

KENSINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- He saw combat more times than he could count, never knowing if he'd ever make it back to Connecticut to see his wife or family. His country honored him for bravery, but he never received the medal.

Now, almost forty years after he left Vietnam, a Connecticut army veteran gets the recognition he deserves.

A journey to feel the gratitude of a nation ended with one simple phone call.

"This is for Henry, Henry this is Heather Stanler, I'm calling from Senator Blumenthal's office..."

Henry Stefanowicz has lived through hell, and witnessed horrors most of us can't possibly fathom.

"You were constantly looking over your shoulder to see if someone was going to do something harmful to ya," Stefanowicz said.

His bravery and loyalty during combat in Vietnam was actually recognized with a bronze star on March 19th, 1970, the same day he was honorably discharged. However, for whatever reason, the award never came home, the nightmares did.

"He still gets nightmares now and then, that stay with him all day long," said Kathy Stefanowicz, Henry's wife.

Appreciation for service did not come easily following the war, but Stefanowicz never resented it, never let disgust consume him towards the country he loved. However, it would be nice, after what he went through, just to have that star.

"To deal with that, not only physically, but emotionally that stress you go through, I can't explain it," he said. "I can't find the right words to explain to you."

Almost 40 years later, a call to Senator Richard Blumenthal's office would set things into motion.

"...about your bronze star, I wanted to let you know that we have it."

"It's long overdue, should have been presented long ago," he said.

Stefanowicz discovered just Sunday, his star would finally be coming home.

"Finally, it's here, and I'll cherish it forever," he said.

It took far too long for his country to officially say "thank you."

"Thank you very much, have a great day!"

However, in that passage of time, his love and pride for his country continued to shine.

"Very proud of him, very happy," Kathy said. "Hoping that it helps."

"Good things come to those who do their job, and take care of their blood brothers," he said.