Dying soldier gets medal 70 years later

GILBERT, AZ - When Allied and American forces stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day during World War II, Sgt. 1st Class Lester “Buzz” Bovee was there as his friends all died around him.

"Within minutes of landing on the beach, every member in his unit had been killed," Bovee’s grandson Jamie Spada recalled. "How scared he was. How horrific the things he had to see."

Sgt. Bovee made it out of the war alive, but he was never honored for his courageous service.

That was 1944. Decades later, the 89-year-old's combat gear has been replaced with medical machines. Bovee is on his death bed. His family says he could pass away at any moment; but before that could happen, one man made sure Bovee received the award he was due.

Army Colonel Jeff Cook came to his side when he heard Bovee had taken a turn for the worse and was lying unconscious in bed.

"I've pinned awards on a number of different people during my time with the army," Col. Cook said.

At Bovee’s hospice home, with a Bronze Star Medal clutched in hand, Col. Cook gave one more soldier the recognition they had deserved for so long. On Tuesday, in a ceremony Cook pinned the Bronze Star on Bovee.

Bovee was not conscious to appreciate the significance of the moment, but his family was. 

“He would be proud," granddaughter Terri Wolf said.

"He served our country during the darkest days,” Spada said. He's always been our hero. This [honor] just kind of reaffirms that."

The star pinned so neatly on Bovee’s chest took a year's worth of paper work and phone calls by Cook to be approved.

"Col. Cook worked so hard and he so wanted him honored,” Wolf said speaking of her grandfather. “[Cook] said, ‘I don't care where he is. I will come and pin that star on his chest. He deserves that before he goes."

As Bovee reaches the end of his call of duty, his family is grateful he can go as an honored hero.

"It is a fitting end; being honored as a hero. It's awesome for him," Wolf said.