93-Year-Old WWII Veteran Receives Purple Heart
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – For 70 years, Bob Bohm has waited for the recognition he deserved.
In 1944, as he served in World War II, the young soldier was hit by enemy fire. He lay unconscious for two weeks, recovered and continued to serve.
Watch Maggie Newland's report, click here.
"The thing is, I'm not a hero," said Bohm, 93. "I just did what I had to do, what I was trained to do."
Bob never received the Purple Heart he earned. The paperwork detailing his injury was lost in a fire. Still, he spent every day honoring America.
"That's what I try to do, I live for my country," he said.
As years went by, Bohm and his family realized how important it was that his sacrifice was recognized.
"The heart is so important," said Bohm. "It's important to show that fellows fought for their rights of their country, the right for freedom, the right to vote, the right to love."
Bohm's daughter worked tirelessly to see to it that her dad received his Purple Heart.
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen got involved, as did military generals. Decades after he was hurt, Bohm's day finally came.
"This is the day the Lord made just for you dad," said his daughter during a ceremony Saturday night in Miami. "This is the day the deserving soldier, my hero, my father, the man with the heart-of-gold receives his Purple Heart."
The medal was pinned to his chest, as the crowd gathered for the ceremony applauded.
"I'm glad we played a little role in helping him get the Purple Heart. He earned it; we just needed to move the paperwork along," said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen.
Even with the honor, Bohm remains humble and grateful to his fellow soldiers who never made it home.
"And the ones that should have the honors and the heroes are buried 6-feet underground over in Italy and Africa and all over Europe," said Bohm. "They're the ones, they gave their lives for our country."
READ: 93-Year-Old Inching Closer To Being Honored By Purple Heart
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