After 62 years of waiting William "Ray" Howcroft, 82, finally received the credit he deserved.

Howcroft, a veteran of World War II, was awarded with the Bronze Star and several other military medals on Wednesday, May 30, at his home in Finneytown.

"Its nice to get something you should have had 60 years ago," said Howcroft.

A month after Howcroft first approached U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot (R-1st District) about receiving the medals he earned in the war, Chabot arranged for Howcroft to receive the seven military medals, including the Bronze Star, the fourth-highest combat award.

Howcroft earned the Bronze Star for his efforts in the landing at Anzio (Italy) helping to bring a fellow soldier to safety. The soldier was wounded and Howcroft crawled under machine gun fire to administer first aid.

Read the full story by Laura Eastes at The Community Press & Recorder