The Associated Press

TOLEDO - A Marine who fought for the last two years to receive a Purple Heart for his wounds in World War II died before his wish could be granted.

Richard Quinlan, who nearly 60 years ago served as a Marine in the battle of Guadalcanal during World War II, began his quest for the medal after a doctor found a piece of shrapnel lodged in his skull.

The discovery led Quinlan to spend the next 22 months seeking official recognition of his war wound - the Purple Heart.

But Quinlan died last week at age 81 of complications from ulcers.

"It was so important to him. He wanted to do it himself. Then he got sicker, and he was willing to let others help him," said his wife, Jean.

"He would keep saying it wasn't important, but you could tell it was."

Richard Quinlan said he was wounded in a Japanese bombing.

He remembered bleeding from the wound after diving for cover, but the wound healed and he never sought medical attention.

Quinlan said his doctors discovered the shrapnel during an X-ray.

His health was fading when he decided to apply for a Purple Heart in November 2001.

After more than a year without an answer, the Navy said that while Quinlan qualified for some medals, he didn't yet qualify for a Purple Heart.

The Navy said he had only one witness statement to verify his claim but needed two.

Another aging veteran agreed to write a letter vouching for Quinlan. While he didn't witness Quinlan receiving the injury, he told the Navy that because of the battle chaos it was common for injuries not to be noted officially by the military.

Quinlan still might get his Purple Heart posthumously.