GOLIAD, Texas—The widow of a South Texas World War II veteran kissed the medals she received in his honor 66 years after he earned them.
Neurania Rubio was presented with the medals Wednesday night in a patriotic ceremony at the family’s restaurant in Goliad (GOH’-lee-ad). U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa did the honors, including awarding a Bronze Star.
Esmel G. Rubio, died Jan. 19. He was 85.
The Victoria Advocate reports Rubio, who enlisted when he was
17, won the medals while serving in central Europe but had never received them. Further details on the delay were not immediately available.
Hinojosa also presented the Rubio family with an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol.
