WWII veteran gets medal 60 years later
Three thanked decades after service
By Katie Kerwin McCrimmon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Preston Gannaway / The Rocky
Gen. Sal Villano holds up an old photo while joking with World War II veteran Richard Charlifue before presenting him a Meritorious Unit Citation as part of the Forgotten Heroes Campaign on Friday at the American Legion Post 23 in Aurora.
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The overpowering stench of corpses rotting in the tropical heat still haunts Richard Charlifue, 83, as he recalls his World War II service on Saipan in the Mariana Islands more than 60 years ago.
The battles were horrific, but the victory was critical.
Thousands lost their lives on Saipan, Charlifue recalled. "But, it broke the back of the Japanese Empire.''
On Friday, Charlifue finally received a medal commemorating his heroism nearly six decades ago. U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden, pinned a simple red medal on Charlifue's chest.
Called the Meritorious Unit Citation, it is comparable to the prestigious Silver Star.
"This day is a source of profound pride for me," said Charlifue, whose mind remains as sharp as the day he was drafted into the Army from the tiny community of La Veta at age 18.
Like many World War II veterans, he never received the medals he had earned. Just a year ago, Charlifue learned that he would receive several medals as part of the Forgotten Heroes Campaign, a program that awards medals to veterans who, for a variety of reasons, never received medals they earned.
On Friday, the big brass came out to honor Charlifue and two other veterans, thanking them decades after the fact for their military service.
Jeff Hefley, 74, received several medals for his service as an Air Force gunner on a B-26 during the Korean War.
Harry Frieeze, a WWII POW who died in captivity in the Philippines, was honored posthumously with his son, Don Frieeze receiving his medals.
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April 12, 2008
4:31 a.m.
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roger44 writes:
Thank You Veterans!
April 12, 2008
12:55 p.m.
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xXM3MN4RCHXx writes:
This is a great story.
April 12, 2008
1:11 p.m.
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GWM writes:
Thank you Mr. Charlifue. You are my hero. Thank you for your service.
April 13, 2008
8:44 a.m.
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Gene writes:
I second that "Thank You" to Mr. Charlifue. I even had to go back and look up what a B-26 was; the 'Marauder.' Built models of all these when I was growing up after WWII, but even that is a while back now.
April 13, 2008
8:57 a.m.
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Gene writes:
Continued Thank You to Mr. Charlifue: guess I read the story too fast, he was not on the B-26. In that case, different plane than I was thinking of, but aslo "Thank You' also to Mr. Hefley.