thedrifter
01-25-06, 06:50 AM
WWII POW Receives Purple Heart During Surprise Ceremony
WAVY 10 -
It was close to 60 years in the making. Tuesday the Marines took time out to honor one of their own. In a surprise ceremony, World War II POW was awarded the Purple Heart at Naval Station Norfolk.
Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Martin Gatewood didn't realize the ceremony at the Naval Base was in his honor. The 84-year-old veteran quickly learned he was the man of the hour.
Days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor signaled the beginning of WWII, Gatewood was injured and captured by the Japanese in December 1941. He was held as a prisoner for almost 4 years.
Fellow POW Terence Kirk authored a book, "The Secret Camera," which contains images from the torture they endured during that time.
Gatewood also received a Prisoner of War Medal and a Korean War Service Medal.
Ellie
WAVY 10 -
It was close to 60 years in the making. Tuesday the Marines took time out to honor one of their own. In a surprise ceremony, World War II POW was awarded the Purple Heart at Naval Station Norfolk.
Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Martin Gatewood didn't realize the ceremony at the Naval Base was in his honor. The 84-year-old veteran quickly learned he was the man of the hour.
Days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor signaled the beginning of WWII, Gatewood was injured and captured by the Japanese in December 1941. He was held as a prisoner for almost 4 years.
Fellow POW Terence Kirk authored a book, "The Secret Camera," which contains images from the torture they endured during that time.
Gatewood also received a Prisoner of War Medal and a Korean War Service Medal.
Ellie