A 24-year-old Jim Hurley, who led 100 young men through the Vietnam jungle, would never have believed that a U.S. senator would one day present him with a pocket full of service medals and say "well done."

But, 43 years after his Vietnam experience, that is exactly what happened.

On Tuesday, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., pinned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart to Hurley's suit pocket before a packed room at the Vietnam veteran's Rapid City law firm, Bangs McCullen. 

"It breaks my heart when you think about some of those sacrifices made by some of those Vietnam era veterans and how little-appreciated they were," Thune said. "So, today is an opportunity for all of us collectively ... to be able to come here and say 'thank you' — a long overdue thank you."

Thune, who earlier in the day toured Rapid City's wildland-urban interface areas, also presented Hurley with several other medals for his military service. Thune submitted Hurley's paperwork for the medals about six months ago, after Hurley had visited the senator's office on an unrelated matter, according to Sandy Massey, with Thune's office. 

As a light infantry company commander in the American Division during 1968 and 1969, Hurley led his soldiers through combat action in the dense, hot Vietnam jungle. 

"It was an active time — ambushes, firefights, pitched battles for two or three days," Hurley said. "Our priority there was to keep each other as safe as possible — we had the buddy system — and to get as many home as possible." 

Hurley's four-year military service also included a year at the Korean demilitarized zone, preventing North Korean soldiers from infiltrating South Korea.  

Before the presentation of medals, Hurley acknowledged the service of several other veterans in the room and humbly explained to his family, friends and colleagues that he only did what was expected of him.

"I didn't do anything different than anyone else. I just did my job, and you would have done the same," Hurley said. "I'll accept these military medals on behalf of the soldiers who do serve us well every day." 

The eldest of 16 children, Hurley graduated from the South Dakota School of Law at University of South Dakota in 1974 and served as a law clerk for federal judge Andrew W. Bogue. In 1976, he joined the Bangs McCullen firm, where he has practiced law ever since.