Tuesday, April 3, 2007

...But Filipino Veterans Remain Unrecognized

(Salt Lake City, Daily Herald) - Dee Hatch is finally getting the recognition he deserved as a young corporal in the U.S. Army. Hatch received a Bronze Star for meritorious service Saturday -- an award he should have received 62 years ago.

A lifetime has passed since Hatch, 87, lay in the embattled Philippines mountains hunting for artillery targets as the Japanese bombarded his position with machine gun and mortar fire.

Hatch was finally recognized for his actions during the February 1945 battle, thanks in part to the work of his grandson. The World War II veteran was given the papers for a Bronze Star as a young soldier, but had never received the medal.

His grandson took it upon himself to get the medal to Hatch and U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett helped arrange for Hatch's recognition through the National Personnel Records Center.

Family members gathered in Hatch's hometown, Loa, Utah, Saturday to see the star pinned to his jacket. ...full story here

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