UNC Helps a Vietnam Vet Get His Purple Heart – 50 Years After He Served

Posted Nov 10, 2021
U.S. Army veteran John Spencer served in Vietnam more than 50 years ago. Unlike many other vets, however, he’s been living for decades without the benefits and awards he deserved – one of those being a Purple Heart. A program at the UNC School of Law changed that for Spencer. The law school held a ceremony to honor Army veteran John Spencer. (Chapelboro.com)

Related: Campus Connections

Stuart Scott’s 30 for 30 brought back a lot of hard memories
I never met Stuart Scott. I really wish I had. He hit ESPN at just the right time. I had just started high school when...
Sun Dec 28, 2025

Odd happenings on UNC’s campus in 2025
Tyler Hansbrough, a star UNC basketball player from 2005 to 2009, made a surprising resurgence in Carolina culture this year. Hansbrough co-taught a sports communication...
Sun Dec 28, 2025

Surplus Sid's has closed in Carrboro. What's next for its owner, Barry Keith.
Barry Keith may be the "Emperor of Carrboro" - but to the people who know him, he's just "Sid." Keith, 70, hung up the...
Fri Dec 26, 2025

UNC student creates new way to rank NBA coaches
Win-loss records and championship rings usually define the best NBA coaches, but UNC-Chapel Hill student Shane Faberman looked at different data to see which coaches...
Thu Dec 25, 2025