WWII Vet, 94, Gets His Medals

More than 70 years later

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A 94-year-old World War II veteran received his overdue military medals Monday, more than 70 years after surviving a prisoner-of-war camp and the Bataan Death March, the 65-mile Philippines trek that killed 11,000 people.

Philip Coon received a Prisoner of War Medal, a Combat Infantryman Badge and a Bronze star during a ceremony at Tulsa International Airport, surrounded by friends and family. Upon their safe arrival home, veterans like Coon were more eager to settle down with family than to redeem medals, the Associated Press reports,.

“I’ve been blessed to come this far in life,” Coon said.

[AP]