Vietnam veteran Larry Payne of Saint Joseph has received a Bronze Star for meritorius service…more than four decades after his deployment. Payne earned the honor for his work as a reconnaissance team leader with the US Army Special Forces.

Paperwork for Payne’s award and several others was lost in a command change during the war and only recently came to light. Still, Payne says he’s grateful for the honor.

Larry Payne served 37 years in the military, including 31 with the Missouri National Guard.  He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer in 2003 from the 135th Signal Company in Saint Joseph.