DEL MAR, Calif. -- Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., will present a Purple Heart Satuday to a Vietnam War veteran wounded in a mortar attack in 1969, but who chose not to receive the honor at the time.

Dale Carter had a medic remove a piece of shrapnel, but he did not pursue the medal because he felt his wounds were not serious enough.

In 2002, Carter changed his mind and, with the aid of Boxer's office, applied for and was granted the Purple Heart.

Boxer will present the medal to Carter during an afternoon ceremony at Del Mar's Powerhouse Community Center.

George Washington established the Purple Heart 1782 to be awarded to those injured or killed in combat.