Dennis Newberry, 92, received the Congressional Gold Medal during an award ceremony Saturday at the Owensboro National Guard Armory.
Owensboro native Dennis Newberry, 92, received the Congressional Gold Medal during an award ceremony.
The Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian awards in the United States.
Read the story at https://t.co/bcHpkBH2H2 pic.twitter.com/fjUi63obSI
— Owensboro Times (@OwensboroTimes) February 8, 2020
Newberry received the award for his service during World War II in the Civil Air Patrol, which is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air force.
“I consider it to be a great honor,” Newberry said, adding he was surprised when he found out the news last year.
The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress.
“I didn’t know that they award gold medals for service,” he said. “I was pleased.”
Newberry joined the CAP in 1942 when he was 15 years old.
The organization was created on Dec. 1, 1941 to provide civilian air support to aid the war effort of WWII.
Newberry served as a cadet observer and a color guard. He would go on to serve in the Army.
In 2014, President Barack Obama signed legislation into law awarding the medal to the approximately 200,000 WWII members of the CAP.
CAP said the medal is the country’s highest expression of appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.
