WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | WW II Veteran Finally Gets His Medals
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In front of the Appling County courthouse in Baxley today, It was a military medal ceremony unlike any other. That's because the soldier getting these awards is 84 years old.
"I never thought I would get them." said Jack Phelps, World War II veteran.
Phelps nearly got tears in his eyes as his medals were pinned on his jacket. He went into the army at 18, fought in some of the biggest battles of World War II, but could never get the awards he was due, until now.
"Men like Jack Phelps who scaled a cliff at Normandy Beach to throw a hand grenade into a German machine gun pillbox," said
Congressman Jack Kingston. "We all ought to be thankful for them every day of our lives."
"It is an emotional and wonderful thing," said Carolyn Davis, Phelps' niece. "To see somebody that you love and care about get what's finally theirs and he's finally gotten it."
A Purple Heart, Bronze Star and World War II victory medal are among the eleven that now adorn Phelps chest. Along with the awards, he gets handshakes and hugs from family and friends, and the sense that all his hard work didn't go unnoticed.
"I was an eager beaver and here you go." said Phelps. "I would go where other people wouldn't, do things other people wouldn't"
"If it wasn't for him I couldn't stand here under these beautiful flags and speak what I want to speak." said Carolyn Davis.
By the time he was finished he'd been through two wars, and nine years of service throughout Europe, Japan and South America. Despite all this Jack says he's just a citizen soldier and not an American hero.
"Somebody had to do the job and I didn't have sense enough to be scared." said Jack Phelps.
But his wife Mauldina believes otherwise.
"Yes sir, he is to me." said Mauldina Phelps.
Congressman Kingston's office helped get Phelps the medals he earned. Now they're working to get him military benefits. We'll keep you updated.
Reported by: Andrew Davis, andrewdavis@wtoc.com
