United States. A Vietnam War Purple Heart, To Sergeant Joe Wideman Becker, United States Marine Corps, Wia

Instituted in 1782. Two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with purple, red, white and green enamels, engraved "JOE W. BECKER / WIA / 12-20-67" on the reverse, measuring 34.5 mm (w) x 47 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, intact enamels, exhibiting scattered gilt wear and spotting, original ribbon with brooch pinback, better than very fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, black thatched-look exterior, inscribed "PURPLE HEART" on the lid, missing the lining on the inside lid and the medal bed in the base, exterior exhibiting wear and soiling, case fair. 

Footnote: Joe Wideman Becker was born on June 2, 1940. Becker was serving as a Sergeant (432281) with the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, when he was wounded in action on December 20, 1967. He died on July 26, 2017, at the age of 77 and is buried in Fort Richardson National Cemetery, in Fort Richardson, Anchorage Borough, Alaska.