A 99-year-old World War II veteran finally gets his medals February 22 Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Cornett received his Purple Heart and Bronze Star Feb. 22 at American Legion Post 84 in Auburn, California, 77 years after the actions that warranted the awards. (Sgt. Justin Stafford/Army) Shaky but sturdy, retired Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Cornett stood tall in a uniform he hadn’t worn in more than half a century to receive an overlooked award he’d been due since 1944. Donning his “Eisenhower jacket,” a green, waist-length jacket worn by the famous general in the later stages of World War II, a garrison cap and matching trousers, Cornett was the center of attention at American Legion Post 84, in Auburn, California, Monday for an outdoor ceremony in which he finally received his Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.