Abernathy - returns home for artificial legs - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Veedersburg – Marine Pfc. Michael D. Abernathy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Abernathy of Rt 2, Veedersburg, who less than three months ago lost both legs to a Viet Cong booby trap was home to spend Thanksgiving with his family.  He was home on a six-day leave from the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, where he has been treated since arriving back in the United States. He returned there for therapy and to be fitted with artificial legs. A student in Covington HS he enlisted for Marine service in April 1966 at the age of 17 and received basic training at San Diego, Calif.  In Vietnam, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the Marine Division.  He received wounds from shrapnel prior to the booby trap encounter. He has the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts for Vietnam campaigns and national Defense ribbon.  He spent most of his leave time at the farm home of his parents, visiting his parents; two young sisters, Sharolyn and Sherrilee and brothers, Andy, Dan and Robert.  Marine Abernathy, in a wheel-chair, manipulates it with ease.