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Source: Mendota Review
Published: 3/4/01 Author: Carlin Larson
Posted on 03/17/2001 17:03:40 PST by Valin
Over 30years ago thomas Mohs was asked if he wanted a Purple Heart. He was wounded in 1969 while serving in a reconnaissance unit during the Vietnam war. Mohs chose not to accept the award, saying others were more deserving.

Humility stayed with Mohs (52) and three decades later, he still shuns occasions where his efforts are praised. However his family is determined not to let is heroic efforts and those of other veterans go unrecognized.

Mohs grew up in south mpls and was the third child of a family of 13 children. After graduating from south high school, he joined the US Marines Corps and served with the 3rd Recon Marines in Vietnam. Althought he was wounded, he fulfilled his tour awyway.

After returning home, Thomas had a couple of jobs before marrying his wife Lynda. they have been married 22 years
Two years ago, Lynda looked into securing the medal for her husband. The Purple Heart was important to Mohs older brother Joseph who passed away in 1988 and who served in Vietnam and always wanted his younger brother to receive the honor. "I did it on behalf of Joseph," said Lynda.

A client of the couples tax service business Jim Wendt, happened to be the commander of the St Paul chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Conversations began between the family and Wendt and soon work was underway to secure the medal Thomas had refused to accept over 31 years ago.

Wendt cotacted Mike Siebenaler, a veterans liasion from Sen. Paul Welstone's office. The two men retrieved old records and gathered information. according to siehenaler, there is a large number of veterans each year that inquire about receiving their Purple Hearts.
During the war, many were discharged after being injured and told to contact the government after they returned home to obtain their medal.Because of the large number of inquories, the process often takes a couple of years.

"A lot of it was paperwork and double-checking," adds Wendt.

Thomas weas honored Feb 24 at the North St Paul VFW Founders day dinner at which time a major in the Marine Corp stationed at fort Snelling awarded thomas the medal.
This time he graciously accepted the medal in the presence of his family. "It ment a lot to have them all there," says Thomas.
"He would rather have other veterans recognized than himself," Lynda adds about her husband.

During the war, Thomas also received the Vietnamese Cross of Vallantry, an award given to only 10 soldiers who served in Vietnam during the war. Like many veterans Thomas is uncomfortable discussing his combat experiences, but Lynda explains that he another soldier single-handedly took out an entire company. Lynda and Thomas now run their own business, Mohs Tax Service in St Paul, a large independent tax office.