Navy Runs out of Purple Hearts

The Navy recently informed 75 year old Nyles Reed the wound he recieved in Korea qualified him for a Purple Heart. Just one problem -- they were out of the medals. From the Houston Chronicle:

But there was no medal. Just a certificate and a form stating that the medal was "out of stock."

"I can imagine, of course, with what's going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, there's a big shortage," Reed said. "At least, I would imagine so."

The Navy told him he could wait 90-days and resubmit his paperwork or he could buy his own from a private supplier. Mr Reed paid $42 for his medal -- plus state sales tax.