Michigan WWII vet finally gets his medals

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Michigan WWII vet finally gets his medals
By Charles E. Ramirez - The Detroit News via Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 22, 2009 21:25:31 EST

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — Uncle Sam sent Jewell Jackson an early Christmas present this year: Medals he earned in combat during World War II.

After fighting at Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day and serving out his time overseas in the Army during the war, the 86-year-old from Sterling Heights went home with only ribbons for sharpshooting and good conduct, he said.

"I never did anything special," said Jackson, his voice tinged with a Southern accent. "Like everyone else, I just wanted to get back home."

A few months ago, a nephew urged the venerable vet to ask the National Archives and Records Administration and the Army for the medals he was awarded after the war, but never received. The medals showed up at Jackson's Sterling Heights home a couple of weeks ago, he said.

Jackson received a total of five: a Good Conduct Medal, a European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, an Army of Occupation Medal, a World War II Victory Medal and an Army Rifle Sharpshooting medal.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_wwii_vet_medals_122209/