AUGUSTA — William Schnorr of Dixfield recently received a long overdue medal that he had earned but never received during World War II.

Schnorr, 91, received the World War II Victory Medal at a ceremony in U.S. Sen. Angus King’s Augusta office. King’s staff worked with Schnorr and his family to acquire the medal.

King was in Washington, but stepped out of an Armed Services Committee meeting to call Schnorr to congratulate him and to thank him for his service.

“William Schnorr is a member of the greatest generation, serving selflessly in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II,” King said. “Mr. Schnorr answered the call to service to defend freedom in this country’s hour of need. For that, we owe him our eternal gratitude, and I am glad that, although overdue, he is finally receiving the recognition he deserves for his service.”

Schnorr served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he was a bombardier and gunner on missions over Germany, according to his family. He left the service as a sergeant in 1945. For reasons unknown, he never received the World War II Victory Medal, which is awarded to all military personnel for service between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946.

Schnorr and his family became aware of his eligibility for the medal after he participated in an Honor Flight last fall to Washington, D.C., and spoke with other Maine veterans who received their medals. One of King’s constituent service representatives worked with the U.S. Department of the Army to successfully secure the medal for Schnorr.

 

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