M14 Forum

DukeRustfield · November 13th, 2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — More than six decades after being freed from a Japanese prisoner of war camp, a Utah veteran was compelled to relive the horrors and triumphs of his World War II experience this month when he received a mysterious package containing seven military medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star.

http://news.yahoo.com/utah-man-recei...153124148.html

82nd ABN · November 13th, 2011, 01:38 PM

Great story. I bet he was pretty surprised when he opened that package.

cowpoke · November 13th, 2011, 01:40 PM

It's about time. In uniform it's hard to stand as tall when you're standing next to those old timers.

Swamp Rat · November 13th, 2011, 01:53 PM

I hope these are in his records.

zarrinvz24 · November 13th, 2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp Rat

I hope these are in his records.

If they were not the DLA would never have sent them.

Awesome story tho!

mariodesmo · November 13th, 2011, 06:34 PM

And that Gents, is how you define a HERO.
It's great that he has finally received them.

I recently lost my Uncle Pete who was a WWII Marine.

The medals he received from Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima are listed on his grave
stone, at the US National Cemetery he's buried in. I was just there to visit him for Veterans Day.

Hopefully this brave man will receive the same honor some day.

Swamp Rat · November 13th, 2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zarrinvz24

If they were not the DLA would never have sent them.

Awesome story tho!

I would hope so, since historically there've been screw ups with that.

nicholst55 · November 15th, 2011, 04:23 AM

It seems the mystery has been solved. Turns out the old boy actually requested the medals several months ago, and forgot about it.

Mystery of Medals Solved

sardo67 · December 2nd, 2011, 12:58 AM

shouldn't there be a citation for each of the awards?

willriskit · December 2nd, 2011, 05:47 AM

I can remember that during the 1950's there were still WWII vets receiving the medals they'd earned due to the huge backlog. These were mainly purple hearts and bronze stars, which were fairly common among career men on active duty. I for one, am thankful that his gentleman is still alive and able to appreciate the honors. Many of those deserving passed on quietly without ever having received that recognition.

nicholst55 · December 4th, 2011, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sardo67

shouldn't there be a citation for each of the awards?

Originally, yes, there would have been - for the DSC and Silver Star, at least. When requesting replacement medals though, all you get are the medals themselves (in the box, with the lapel pin and ribbon, if applicable).