Mondovi air force veteran received a host of medals during the Labor Day weekend

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MONDOVI - It’s been 70 years since an Air Force veteran from western Wisconsin started a distinguished flying career in World War II. Doug Ward received the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven other medals during the Labor Day weekend at a ceremony in his home town of Mondovi.

It’s not clear whether the 89-year-old Ward had received the medals and misplaced them – or had not received them in the first place. Ward said he forgot about the honors once he returned home and started work as a mail carrier.

A few years ago, he met Congressman Ron Kind – and Kind wanted to make sure he had the awards. Kind said it’s important to quote, “make sure the silent heroes in our community are getting the recognition and the awards they deserve.” Ward was a gunner in a B-17 unit during World War Two. He served from 1942-1945.

Tags: western wisconsin, news, military