World War II veteran John Warhola appears with medals he earned in combat. (MyFoxPhilly.com)
More than 60 years after completing his military career, a Pennsylvania World War II veteran has finally received the medals he earned while serving in Europe.
John Warhola, 87, received eight of the medals he tried for years to get on Friday, thanks to the efforts of his granddaughter and Rep. Bob Brady, D-Pa., MyFoxPhilly.com reports.
Warhola had already been awarded the Purple Heart and a good conduct medal, but he also earned several other medals that never came after his discharge 67 years ago.
"I thought I deserved them," Warhola told MyFoxPhilly.com. "I fought for what I thought was the right thing to do at time."
Warhola served a member of the 2nd Battalion of the 274th Infantry in the 70th Division, which played a major role in the battle to occupy the German village of Wingen, according to The Delaware County Daily Times.
Jennifer Bail, Warhola's granddaughter, contacted Brady, who helped secure the medals. Bail surprised her grandfather by taking him to a Veterans of Foreign Wars convention to retrieve them.
Warhola was presented with the European Theater, Victory, Occupation, Combat Infantryman Badge, three Battle Stars, Bronze Star and a Presidential Unit Citation, according to The Times.
"It's not too late, not for me," Warhola told MyFoxPhilly.com. "It's never too late."
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