[oh8eleven]

a decorated soloist in the U.S. Army Band Chorus
Ah, just what kind of "decoration" does one get for being a choirboy?

[RetiredArmy]

Does not mean that in those 25 years he might have been in a combat unit. Look at his chest in that photo of him singing. The medal closes to us appears to be a Purple Heart. It seems to have the shape of one. I cannot be sure, but it does to me.