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Veteran donates kidney to fellow soldier he fought with 47 years ago

In this Nov. 5, 2015 photo, Henry "Bill" Warner, left, and John Middaugh clasp hands prior to their surgeries at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. Serving together in Vietnam, Warner and Middaugh forged an Army-brothers bond they knew was profound and lasting. Nearly a half a century away from the war zone where they'd counted on each other, Middaugh put himself on the line for Warner this month in a new way, by giving one of his kidneys. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Credit: Mark Lennihan

Credit: Mark Lennihan

In this Nov. 5, 2015 photo, Henry "Bill" Warner, left, and John Middaugh clasp hands prior to their surgeries at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. Serving together in Vietnam, Warner and Middaugh forged an Army-brothers bond they knew was profound and lasting. Nearly a half a century away from the war zone where they'd counted on each other, Middaugh put himself on the line for Warner this month in a new way, by giving one of his kidneys. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Nov 14, 2015

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A 73-year-old Vietnam veteran is donating his kidney to a man he fought next to 47 years ago.

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John Middaugh says he didn’t hestitate donating his kidney to his fellow soldier, Bill Warner.

"He had my back many times," Middaugh said as the two awaited surgery last week at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "So this is payback time."

"We got through Vietnam. We'll get through this," Warner said.

Both are 73 years old, served in Vietnam together and received Purple Hearts for their service.

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