Vet dies one day after receiving WWII medals

By: Associated Press

VENTURA -- A World War II veteran who this week was finally awarded the Bronze Star he had earned for heroism died a day after the ceremony at his nursing home.

Adam N. Macht, a former Army corporal, died Thursday morning in his apartment at Cypress Place Senior Living, according to his stepdaughter-in-law, Lou Matthews. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

"One of the residents said, 'He's with his troops now,"' said Michelle Smith, manager of the assisted-living facility's Alzheimer's and dementia program. "The one thing Adam always remembered was his service time. It was an honor to care for him."

Macht served in Tunisia, Algeria and French Morocco during World War II. On Wednesday, he was pinned with the Bronze Star for heroic service and the Purple Heart for combat wounds.

A ceremony at the nursing home included friends and military brass.

It was unclear why Macht never received the medals, which the military quickly shipped to the nursing home. The oversight was discovered when officials at the nursing home checked to see if Macht, a new resident, was eligible for veterans' pension benefits, said Jim Duran, the facility's executive director.

"Adam was not a braggart," Matthews said. "But he was incredibly proud of his service."

About 1,300 World War II veterans die each day, said George Compton, a Ventura County veterans services officer.

Ellie