WWII veteran gets medals nearly 71 years after discharge
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A World War II veteran from western Michigan has received his medals for service, nearly 71 years after he was honorably discharged.
The Kalamazoo Gazette (http://bit.ly/1PPVzPB ) reports that 89-year-old John Butler of Portage was presented the medals Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Fred Upton during a gathering with family and friends. The medals include a Purple Heart.
Butler was 16 when he joined the Navy in 1944. He was a radar operator on the USS Kidd when the ship was attacked on April 11, 1945. Upton noted Butler lost his right eye and was hospitalized for several months.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Butler says he's "really appreciative" of Upton's office help to get the medals.
Upton said, "I'm sorry to say it took 70 years... we're thinking of you as a hero."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Information from: Kalamazoo Gazette, http://www.mlive.com/kalamazoo