After 62 years, Norman Boggus receives his medals

Norman Boggus received his long-overdue military medals when Lt. Col. Steve Gray traveled to his rural Berryville home to make the presentation. Anna Mathews / Carroll County News [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

BERRYVILLE -- Sixty-two years after leaving the armed forces, WWII veteran Norman Boggus was honored for his service to his country with the presentation of medals.

They were delivered to him by Lt. Col. Steve Gray, USAF (Ret.), who traveled to Norman's rural Berryville home June 17 as the senior military and veterans advisor for U.S. Congressman John Boozman.

Surrounded by family members, Norman accepted his long-overdue WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter Badge for the Rifle, and Philippine Independence Ribbon.

When presenting the medals, Gray shared with the family Norman's history with the military, saying Norman was born in and raised in Riverdale, Calif., and joined the Army at age 18, in February, 1945.

"At that time, the war was full swing in both Europe and the Pacific," Gray said. "Hitler had surprised the Allies with his Winter Offensive, Dec. 16, 1944, in what was commonly called the Battle of the Bulge, and soldiers were being pulled off out of the combat area due to trench foot.

"In the Pacific, slowly but surely the Pacific Islands were being liberated, and one of the prizes, the Philippines, were being fought for," he continued.

"Norman stayed in the states, training, until a month after the two atom bombs were dropped over Japan. His mission -- to stabilize the Philippines and support them in their quest for independence.

"A very strong Communist leaning element, the Hukbalahap, with some 500,000 seasoned guerrillas, was creating havoc in on the islands and trying to destabilize efforts at independence.

"Norman and his comrades were standing in the gap to prevent that from happening. Though he was considered a blacksmith, he worked many hours operating large vehicles, rebuilding a land that had been pretty much devastated by war."

He said Norman returned to the states in December, 1946, and was discharged from Camp Beale, near Marysville, Calif.

In conclusion, Gray said it was an honor for him to present the medals to Norman.