Medals awarded 115 who served in World War II

On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Navy machinist mate Melvin Bacon was aboard the USS Utah, a target ship used by aircraft carriers to practice air strikes with dummy bombs.

But on that morning 60 years ago in Pearl Harbor, Bacon knew that the dimming lights and rocking motion of the ship weren't a result of a practice bombing mission.

"I could tell something was really wrong," said Bacon. "Really wrong."

He learned that a torpedo had hit the ship followed almost immediately by another. Bacon made his way to the deck of the ship and watched as Japanese planes dropped a barrage of torpedoes and bombs that killed more than 2,300 Americans.

Bacon, who was born in Cape Girardeau in 1919, survived the attack that thrust the United States into World War II.

On Friday, the anniversary of the invasion, Missouri awarded Bacon and 114 other local World War II veterans a special medallion, medal and certificate of service.

Bacon was the only veteran in attendance who was at Pearl Harbor.

"I'm proud of it," Bacon said after the ceremony, held at the Missouri Veterans Home where he lives. "Of course I'm proud of it."

A color guard presented the American flag before the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and "The Star-Spangled Banner" sung.

A moment of silence was held for those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Lt. Col. Jerry Sanders of the Missouri National Guard lauded the veterans. "After the smoke cleared, a call went out -- a call to duty -- and each and every one of you answered that call," Sanders said. "For that, we salute you."

Sanders said Friday's recognition was a long time coming. "It's been 60 years since World War II started. Unfortunately, many of them aren't around to see this," he said.

The medal and medallion were designed by the Missouri Veterans Commission at a cost of about $50 per veteran. Former Missouri governor, the late Mel Carnahan, approved legislation authorizing the honors program in 2000. Lawmakers later allocated $3 million for the program.

Harlan Hager, 76, fought at the Battle of the Bulge. Hager, who was an Army artillery man, now serves as VFW Post 3838 commander. He was a promising football player at Southeast Missouri State University when he was drafted and almost immediately was sent to the front lines.

"The war was a lot different than anyone can imagine," Hager said. "No one can imagine."

Coy Farmer, 88, was in the Merchant Marines.

"This is truly an honor all right," Farmer said. "I'm definitely proud of what I did, and I'm definitely proud of what this country did."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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