98-year-old gets Bronze Star Medal

Claymore said, “Here’s a military story that’s not gay” and sends us a link to a story about 98-year-old Seymour Lavine who waited more than 60 years for his just desserts from the Pacific Campaign in World War II;

He joined with his brother Sandy and said their “blood was just boiling.” Lavine started his Army career by going to officer candidate school, but he was denied admission because of his eyesight. Instead of going home and waiting until his draft number was called, Lavine joined the infantry.

Lavine was sent to the Pacific region and participated in battles from Guadalcanal to the Solomon Islands, and in 1944 was stationed in the Philippines. He helped liberate the islands in 1944 and 1945.

Lavine’s brother did not make it home from the war. Sandy Lavine died in Holland in 1944 fighting the Germans and was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star in 1996 at Ft. McPherson.

Seymour Lavine received his award “for meritorious achievement while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater of Operations,” reads the order announcing his medal.

After receiving his medal Thursday, Lavine entertained the soldiers on hand with stories from another era.

I’m glad SSG Lavine lived long enough to enjoy this presentation despite the “administrative glitch”.

Category: Military issues