It seems that lately, for many different reasons there have been several late awards of medals. Here is an example. PITTSBURGH—A World War II veteran from western Pennsylvania has received his Purple Heart after 65 years. Eighty-six-year-old David Rohm got his medal during a ceremony Saturday at the 171st Air Refueling Wing in Coraopolis. His son, Col. Robi Rohm, watched via video hookup from Afghanistan, where he is stationed with the Army. The elder Rohm was injured after bailing out of his crippled B-17 on March 8, 1944. He broke his pelvis upon landing and was captured by German forces. He spent the next 14 months in prison camps. He had not received the Purple Heart since then because of a lack of medical documentation. But two years ago, he petitioned the Air Force Review Board; after providing a personal account of his injury, his request was granted in December.
Not a terribly empathetic comment there, WH. Are you saying it took a while to get the PH because he was injured as opposed to wounded or that he shouldn't have got it because he was 'just' injured? He was injured on combat duties and rightly deserves a PH. He sacrificed more than most of us ever will. Wonderful that his son got to watch.
Monday, March 09, 2009 Wally Bludworth of Kyle flew 34 bombing missions in B-24 planes over Germany during World War II, including 19 in which he returned to England with engines shot out and fuel lines leaking. "One time there were 134 flak holes in the airplane when we returned," he said. After the war, Bludworth became a chemical engineer, worked worldwide, got married, had children, ran his own company and retired. He just found out this year that he was recommended a little more than 63 years ago for the Distinguished Flying Cross. "I had not really wondered about it before," Bludworth said. "You really didn't fly for the medals; you just flew and did your job." Bludworth, now 85, said he became curious about the medal last year after talking to a friend who had flown some missions with him and received it. He said he wrote a letter in January to the Texas Veterans Commission asking whether he qualified for the award. A short time later the director of the Air Force Review Boards Agency at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland sent a letter to Bludworth confirming that he had been recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross on Dec. 1, 1945, for "extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on many bombardment missions," according to the letter. He received the award in the mail last week. "I'm thrilled because I can now buy duplicates and give them to my children and great-grandchildren," he said. Apparently his recommendation more than 60 years ago was either lost or not acted upon so no action could be taken until Bludworth formally requested correction of his military records, said Capt. Michael Andrews, an Air Force spokesman in Washington. A native of Kingsville, Bludworth said he had always wanted to learn how to fly. He grew up working at his father's drugstore and often watched Army Air Corps cadets practicing their flying on a nearby grass field, he said. He joined the army at age 18. "I just thought it was my duty to fight Hitler," he said. He learned to fly in the Army Air Forces because the Air Force wasn't created until 1947, he said. During 1944 and 1945, he lived in a Quonset hut in England with nine other men, he said. "We were young enough not to be too frightened," he said. "You did go through emotions when they woke you up in the morning and said you had a mission; there's anxiety." The anxiety would disappear once he got in the air and knew he was being shot at, Bludworth said. "I got mad and I remember I would lose 10 to 14 pounds a mission in sweat and nervous energy," he said. One time he had to land a plane on an old German airfield in Belgium because an engine was shot out, the controls were damaged and the aircraft was out of fuel, he said. The crew was rescued by Allied forces. "I remember that I bombed Berlin on my 21st birthday," he said. Bludworth, who was never injured, got a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Texas after the war. He worked in engineering mainly for Exxon and sometimes as a consultant in 18 different countries, he said. For a few years he owned his own company called Great Western Oil and Gas in Texas and Oklahoma, he said. After retiring at 67, Bludworth said he spent eight years driving around the U.S. in an RV with his wife, Norlene. They settled in Kyle because they liked the area, he said. The Kyle-Buda VFW Post 12058 will hold a special award ceremony for Bludworth on April 18 at the Painted Horse Pavilion in Buda, said Rick Riel, the post commander. "The things that Wally went through as a B-24 pilot were just extraordinary," Riel said. "I don't think people now realize the sacrifices these men made."
WWI veteran receives French award Mr Patch gave a speech after he received the award Harry Patch, the last surviving British veteran of the trenches of World War I, has been made an Officer of the French Legion of Honour. The 110-year-old, who returned to Bath in 1918, was awarded the medal by the French Ambassador at his nursing home in Wells, Somerset. The British veteran already received the Chevalier of the Order award in 1998. Receiving the award, Mr Patch said it was a great honour. 'Greatly appreciated' He said he was delighted to be appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour 10 years ago, along with 350 other veterans from World War I. When I eventually rejoin my mates it [the medal] will be displayed in my regimental museum as a permanent reminder of the kindness of the people of France Harry Patch At the ceremony, he said: "Now, but two of us remain at our post and the people of France, through their president, have honoured us once more by appointing us as Officers of the Legion of Honour. "Ambassador, I greatly appreciate the way your people respect the memory of those who fell, irrespective of the uniform they wore. "I will wear this medal with great pride and when I eventually rejoin my mates it will be displayed in my regimental museum as a permanent reminder of the kindness of the people of France." Mr Patch, who grew up in Coombe Down, near Bath, never spoke in public about World War I until he turned 100. Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said the UK owed a great deal to the men and women like Mr Patch. "He served with such distinction during wars to protect our liberty. "I welcome this award which pays tribute to him for the huge contribution he has made. We are justly proud of his service and thank the French government for this honour," he added.
Another one. Leon Edward Frenier of Langhorne was awarded both a Silver Star and a Bronze Star for heroism in Germany during the waning days of World War II. It's been 64 years since Leon Edward Frenier crawled through enemy fire. On March 18, 1945, Army Pfc. Frenier struggled 200 yards as gunfire erupted around him in Saarlautern, Germany, and destroyed a German machine gun nest, allowing his platoon in the 297th Regiment to advance. Frenier and a fellow soldier then had to throw enemy grenades back out their foxhole. "He ended this historic day covered in blood, his rifle blown out of his hand and with shrapnel in his arms and legs," said Congressman Patrick Murphy on Saturday during a tribute to Frenier. The World War II hero and Langhorne resident received a Silver Star and a Bronze Star for valor during a ceremony at Yardley's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6393. He was awarded another Bronze Star in 2006. The silver star was for the March 1945 effort. His second bronze star was for his bravery throughout his tour of duty. "You set the standard for so many others to follow when it comes to devotion, dedication and service," Murphy, an Iraq War veteran, told Frenier, and pinned the new Bronze Star Medal on him. Bucks County state Reps. Steve Santarsiero and Frank Farry also thanked Frenier for his efforts. While he remained quiet about his battle experiences, The 83-year-old's face broke into a smile as his family and friends surrounded him. The room was packed with many veterans and supporters. Together they enjoyed a festive lunch that the Ladies Auxiliary provided on tables draped in St. Patrick's Day green. During an emotional moment, Frenier's son David Frenier, a Vietnam War veteran and a Silver Star Medal winner himself, pinned the Silver Star Medal on his father's dark blue jacket. Both of them exchanged quiet words during the ceremony. "I'm very proud of my dad. He should have had it years ago, and I was delighted to pin it on him. (Our military experiences) are something we never talked about. Lately we've been talking about things together," said David, of Langhorne. He, too, found it too difficult to talk about his own stories of bravery. Frenier's World War II colleague Tony Obert-Thorn of Warrington wasn't shy about discussing his friend's accomplishments. "I'm not a hero, he is," he said, describing how Frenier risked his life for his fellow soldiers. Obert-Thorn served with Frenier in the Army infantry for some time before he was transferred to the Air Force, where he flew as a radio operator. Frenier's oldest son, Craig Frenier of Quakertown, said he was amazed and pleased that both his father and brother received the Silver Star. Craig served with the Navy on a gunboat in Vietnam. Boy Scout Ray Reinard, a sophomore at Council Rock High School North, also received some recognition on Saturday. As part of his Eagle Scout project, he planned a way for people to dispose of their old American flags in an honorable way. On Saturday morning, he installed one of his mailbox-shaped metal flag receptacles in the front yard of the Yardley VFW. "The VFW has a retirement ceremony to respectfully get rid of old flags," Ray said. The 16-year-old is setting up five of these boxes at local VFWs and American Legion posts and distributing flyers in public places to encourage people to bring in their old flags. Christopher Desmond, commander of the Yardley VFW, congratulated Ray for his contribution. Together with the ceremony for Frenier, "this has been the biggest afternoon for our post in a long time," he said. Murphy represents the residents of Bucks County, some districts of Abington, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland in Montgomery County and two wards in Philadelphia. D-8 Santarsiero represents Lower Makefield, Yardley, Newtown, Newtown Township and District 2 of Upper Makefield. D-31 Farry represents Hulmeville, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, Penndel, all but two precincts in Lower Southampton and part of Middletown. R-142 Manasee Wagh can be reached at 215-949-4206 or mwagh@phillyBurbs.com.
This is old news .... but I remember being very happy to hear that Bush did the right thing !! and God Bless them all ! DEBT OF HONOR A half-century late, seven black heroes have been nominated for the Medal of Honor The last act of a grateful nation's half-century commemoration of the Allied victory in World War II may be a simple and long-delayed act of justice: Seven black American soldiers, all but one now dead, will be awarded the Medal of Honor for their valor and self-sacrifice while fighting for a segregated country in a segregated Army. While 1.2 million black Americans served in World War II, not one received the nation's highest military honor, and only nine were awarded the second-highest, the Distinguished Service Cross. Now U.S. News has learned that after a selection process nearly three years long, the Pentagon has forwarded seven names to Congress and the White House. Only the president may award the Medal of Honor, but in this case Congress must waive the time limit for awarding World War II medals, which expired in 1952. The waivers for the seven are contained in the 1997 defense authorization bill, and such measures ordinarily are not passed until October. U.S. News 5/6/96: 50 years late, the Medal of Honor for seven black heroes
I'm using my wife's laptop and cannot master the cut and paste thing. This is a link to another late awarding of medals, perhaps someone would be good enough to paste the story. Two long delayed plaudits for valor - News- msnbc.com
Recently decorated WW II vet flies again in B-24 bomber Wally Bludworth, 85, stepped back in time Friday to 1945 when he boarded a bomber that was the same type he flew in World War II. He had not been on a B-24 bomber since he flew 34 bombing missions across Germany in 1944 and 1945. Gov. Rick Perry treated Bludworth to the flight from San Marcos to Austin after reading an article in the American-Statesman about the Distinguished Flying Cross that Bludworth finally received this month, 63 years after he earned it. "Thanks for your service," Perry said to Bludworth on Friday. "We get to enjoy lots of freedoms because of boys like you." Just as in 1945, the plane that Perry and Bludworth and a few members of the media rode Friday was not pressurized. The wind roared through openings where there were still mountings for machine guns. Big yellow oxygen canisters, once used by the crew to breathe, hung from the roof of the plane. Narrow catwalks led to the cockpit where Perry, a retired Air Force pilot, flew for several minutes himself. Perry said his father was a B-17 tailgunner during World War II and made 35 trips across the English Channel. "I called him today, and he said to bring the plane back in one piece," Perry said. Bludworth, a slight smile on his face, stood behind the governor and the pilot, Jayson Owen, bracing himself as the big green propeller-driven plane with the 110-foot wingspan lumbered along at 160 mph about 1,500 above the ground. The plane was accompanied by a small silver P-51 fighter plane just like the ones that used to escort B-24s on their missions and provide cover when the shooting started. Both planes circled Austin a few times before landing at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Bludworth slowly wiggled out of the B-24, which can be accessed only through the bottom. He smiled as he stood by it. "It seems like in the old days it got off the ground a little easier," he said. "I don't know why because then we were carrying 8,000 pounds of bombs." Bludworth said Friday's flight made him think about the crew he flew with during the war. "There's only three other members left alive now," he said. He and the crew endured temperatures of 50 degrees below zero as they flew at altitudes of 22,000 feet. Bludworth showed pictures of his crew to Perry after the flight. Perry said he had never been on a B-24 plane before. "I think Mr. Bludworth would agree that the flight today is not about him, it's about the boys that didn't come back," Perry said. Being on the plane, though, didn't "bring back many great emotions," Bludworth said. "I feel just as matter-of-fact now as I did during the war." The B-24 and the P-51 are owned by the Collings Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Massachusetts that preserves World War II and Vietnam-era planes and flies them around the country. It cost about $1.4 million to restore the plane and costs $4,000 an hour to fly it, said Rob Collings, whose parents started the foundation. "There are 11 B-24s in the world, and this is the only flying example," he said. The B-24 was originally flown by the Royal Air Force during the war. It was sold to India and a collector in England before the foundation bought it in 1984. Bludworth estimated that the B-24s he flew cost about $243,000 in 1944.
Dixon veteran accepts Bronze Star for service during World War II Wilbur Scott rides his bicycle five miles every morning to the Firehouse Cafe to drink coffee with his buddies. Friday's meeting, the day after his 89th birthday, was extra special. Among family and friends at the Firehouse Cafe, Air Force Col. John Dawson presented Scott with the Bronze Star for his meritorious achievement in the Army during World War II. "On behalf of every American, I appreciate your service and the sacrifices you made," Dawson said. "Think of this as a birthday present that came very, very late." Scott, a Dixon resident for 24 years, was assigned during the war to the 13th Armored Division, with which he spent some four months under enemy fire. Dawson explained that less than 1 percent of the infantrymen ever get the Bronze Star. "I'm really surprised," Scott said. "I'm actually most proud of the people that are here." He pointed to a room full of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "I'm not going to trust any of them all day," he joked. "I'm not going to know what to expect." Military historian Mike Smith and Gary Scott, Scott's son, were the two responsible for applying for the award. They didn't want Scott to know he would get the medal, so to keep it a surprise they had to pretend that the paperwork he was filling out had to do with a genealogy request. "It's well deserved," Gary said. "When it first came up I knew I had to help. He's a vet and he definitely deserves it. I'm just sorry I didn't do it sooner." Karyn Delph, Scott's daughter, shared that the children weren't aware that he didn't have all the medals he was supposed to have. At 21 and married only a year, Scott enlisted. "I knew I was going to be drafted so I went ahead and signed up so I could pick where I wanted to go," he explained. In Germany, Scott was wounded twice in action, the second was only two weeks after being treated for the first wound and just eight days before the war ended. He shared that for a time he was listed as missing In action because communication service was slow and at the time everyone was celebrating the end of the war while he was recovering in the hospital. That's when he was sent home. "I served four years and 19 days," he said proudly.
The family of a WWII veteran Justin McCoy, on Saturday was presented with the medals he earned for his more than 20 years of military service. McCoy died in 1996. He joined the military at the age of 27 in 1941. He worked as an auto-parts supply clerk and later as an ordinance specialist. McCoy served in WWII as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars. McCoy's daughter, Linda Nicodemus, recently visited a store to have her father's service medals framed. "(The man) told me a lot of WWI and WWII veterans did not get all of their medals," Nicodemus said. "He sort of told me the steps to go through to just find out if we had all of all dad's medals, and it turned out that be didn't." After getting in contact with military and political leaders, Nicodemus found out about 10 service medals that her father had never received. "He had a lot of respect for people and in return he got a lot of respect from people," Nicodemus said. "He was military all the way." McCoy's wife, brothers and daughter accepted the medals, including the WWII Victory, National Defense and Army Commendation awards. Arkansas Rep. John Boozman helped hand out the medals. "You really just kind of pause and reflect and remember the tremendous sacrifices that so many have made," Boozman said. Nicodemus said her father wouldn't want all the attention, but said the honor is deserved. "My dad was a very quiet, reserved man, (and) he would be wondering ‘why are you doing this?’ " Nicodemus said. "I'm very proud of him."
It took almost 65 years. But a Louisville man wounded in World War Two received his Bronze Star and Purple Heart Friday night. An Air Force General saluted Army Private Warren Pendleton in a ceremony at Gheens Academy. The Army commended Pendleton in 1944 after a Japanese sniper shot him in the back in the Pacific. Pendleton never saw his medals. He's 87 years old now. And he's thrilled to wear his honors. A local veterans' group helped Pendleton navigate the military bureaucracy to get his medals. About 50 of his relatives traveled from across the country to watch the ceremony.
Another one: Veteran of Three Wars Finally Gets His Medals | WDEF News 12 | News, Weather and Sports for Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley
One more. Veteran finally honored for service in WWII More than 60 years after returning home from World War II, Loyd Keever has been duly honored for his service and courage. Keever, 93, was presented medals for his military service during a special ceremony held in his honor at VFW Post 2031 on Sunday afternoon. The veteran was presented with six medals, including an American Campaign medal; WWII Victory medal; honorable service lapel button, WWII Philippine Liberation ribbon and Campaign bronze star; Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal and triple campaign Bronze Star. Keever, who didn't speak much about his time in war, said he was honored to be recognized before his friends and family. "It feels pretty good," he said. Keever, who was drafted into the Army in his 20s, served in the 77th Division 304th Artillery. He spent nearly four years in the military, before making a profession out of construction work. During the war, he served in Okinawa, Hiroshima, Guam, Pearl Harbor, and a host of other places. As the years have passed and memories have faded, Keever remembers bits and pieces of his life 64 years ago. But he does remember the overall feeling of being at war. "It was pretty rough," he said. Keever didn't know he was going to receive the medals until they were pinned on him by his three sisters Sunday. His sister, Fairy Stallings, was responsible for starting the process three years. She said her brother never talked much about his experiences, but she became interested after her husband, Joe, read a book about Keever's division and its achievements. "We've got a hero in our midst so I started thinking about his medals," Stallings said. "I'm probably more excited than he is." Keever's brothers, Garland and Glenn, also served in the military. Stallings' husband, Joe, who is a retired colonel, presided over the brief presentation. "Loyd is one of the few parts of the American treasure still living," he said. "We can't forget our treasured few."
And let's not forget. MANCHESTER, N.H. -- A New Hampshire World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 20 years is receiving a Purple Heart. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter is hosting a formal medal presentation ceremony Monday for John Gale at her office in Manchester. Gale served in the Army from 1941 to 1961.
And then there is................. WWII veteran receives long overdue medals | TuscaloosaNews.com | The Tuscaloosa News | Tuscaloosa, AL TUSCALOOSA | Army Sgt. James Hall earned the American Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal for his service in North Africa and Europe in World War II. But it took 64 years before he actually saw them. Surrounded by fellow war veterans and a sea of red, white and blue balloons, Hall was presented with the medals by members of the Alabama Army National Guard on Monday at North River Village, an assisted- living facility on Rice Mine Road. 'They should have given them to me after the war. The one thing they gave me when I got out of the service was a Ruptured Duck,' Hall said, referring to the lapel pin given for an honorable discharge. While Hall was the one receiving the medals, he wasn't the only one who appreciated the ceremony. 'It's just so special for him to be recognized for his service, because in my eyes he's a hero,' said Hall's daughter, Cheryl Dockery. Hall, in fact, said he didn't want the surprise ceremony or the fanfare, but Dockery said the medals were special to her father, who will turn 90 years old in May. After Hall's service during WWII, he worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a nursing assistant for 38 years. He began displaying interest in his medals after moving to North River Village more than a year ago. 'The older he gets, the more important those things become to him,' Dockery said. 'He probably feels like he gave his whole life to the government, serving his country in one way or another. 'It was very important to him to be recognized for all his time and his work. War's been so far removed from us here in the states, I think we forget the sacrifice that soldiers make.' But for the members of the National Guard who presented the medals to Hall, the war is part of their lives too. Maj. Mike Davenport, who helped perform the ceremony, served in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2006. 'As a soldier, it's a big deal,' Davenport said. 'It's a huge honor for me to get to do this for him. I hate the fact that it took him so long to get this award.' This was the first time Davenport has performed the medal award ceremony for a WWII veteran, but he believes it is important to honor former soldiers from previous wars before they die. Davenport's grandfather fought the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II and died about a month and a half ago. He received his awards, but not all veterans are so lucky. 'Those guys just did what they did and came home,' Davenport said. 'You see a lot of times, people get awards posthumously, but it's a lot better when they can receive them and know that we appreciate them.' Monica Wilson, Hall's health care nurse, and Donna Lowery, his social worker, pushed the effort to get Hall's medals after he mentioned that he had never received them, Dockery said. 'He told me the first time I met him he wanted his discharge papers and his medals,' said Wilson. For people of Hall's age, Wilson said it was important to look after their emotional and spiritual well-being, as well as their physical health. An effort such as getting a veteran his medals can be a key part of that. 'As they get older and they start looking at their lives, they start looking at their accomplishments and what was important,' Wilson said. Wilson contacted Lowery for help in getting Hall's medals. 'She came to me and said he wanted his medals, and I was on a mission,' Lowery said. 'He earned them and that's the only thing he's asked for.' Lowery obtained a copy of Hall's discharge papers that listed the medals he had earned. She then contacted the Army recruiting office and Ft. Benning, Ga., which verified Hall's service information. 'He fought for our country, he sacrificed,' she said. 'If you earn something from the military, you should have them.'
