While deployed to the Pacific Theater , Bauer contracted malaria on Guadalcanal .
He recovered from that well enough to earn 11 campaign ribbons , two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts ( for being wounded in action ) in 32 months of combat .
While deployed to the Pacific Theater , Bauer contracted malaria on Guadalcanal , but he recovered from that well enough to earn 11 campaign ribbons , two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts ( for being wounded in action ) in 32 months of combat .