Former WWII prisoners of war honored with state medals

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina veterans who were prisoners of war during World War II have received state medals for their time in captivity.

In a ceremony Thursday at the Statehouse, Gov. Nikki Haley and Adjutant General Robert Livingston presented medals to 12 veterans ranging in age from 88 to 97, the son of a WWII veteran, and the widows of seven former POWs.

They were the first recipients of the South Carolina Prisoner of War Medal created by the Legislature. The law signed by Haley in June 2014 allows the governor to present the award to South Carolina residents who are on federal POW lists.

Haley says the recipients are heroes for life. She says the ceremony should remind everyone of the sacrifices made for Americans’ freedoms.