An Old Soldier Finally Relents and Accepts His WWII Service Medals

[Rose Siding]

Army Pvt. Manuel Lopez Sanchez sat straight in his jet-black wheelchair, his face stern and chest out. He was at attention again.

But he couldn't hold back his smile.

Gathered around the 84-year-old veteran Friday were about 40 family members and friends, standing in the den of his Rosemead home to watch him finally receive eight medals for his service during World War II.

As the pillow of medals was placed on his lap, tears welled up and he said, "I don't think I deserve all this. I was fighting for my country."

Over 52 years of marriage, his wife, Amelia, had urged him to seek the medals. He always refused, saying he thought medals should go to those who died in combat. Sanchez had come close. He received 86 wounds from shrapnel during the Normandy invasion and was spared only when he fell in the mud, which prevented him from bleeding to death.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-soldier9apr09,1,4589892.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Rep. Hilda L. Solis (DEMOCRAT) handled this. Moved by deaths in the Iraq War, she's actively seeking out those who have earned medals that they haven't received