WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, 91-year-old veteran William Schnorr of Dixfield finally received a long-overdue medal that he had earned, but never received, for his service during World War II. During a ceremony held in the Augusta office of U.S. Senator Angus King, Mr. Schnorr was awarded the World War II Victory Medal in recognition of his service to America. Senator King’s staff worked with Mr. Schnorr and his family to acquire the medal, and Senator King, who was in Washington today, stepped out from an Armed Services Committee meeting to call to congratulate him and 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,” Senator 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.”

Mr. 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 December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946. Mr. Schnorr and his family became aware of his eligibility for the medal after he participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. last fall and spoke with other Maine veterans who had received their medal.

Senator King welcomed home Mr. Schnorr and the other Honor Flight Maine veterans when they returned from Washington last fall, and it was after that meeting that Mr. Schnorr’s family reached out to Senator King’s office for help acquiring the Victory Medal. One of Senator King’s Constituent Service Representatives worked with the U.S. Department of the Army to successfully secure the medal for Mr. Schnorr.

Photo 1: Maine World War II Veteran William Schnorr of Dixfield receives his long-overdue Victory Medal at Senator King’s Augusta office.

Photo 2: Maine World War II Veteran William Schnorr of Dixfield on the phone with Senator King.

Photo 3: Maine World War II Veteran William Schnorr of Dixfield receives his long-overdue Victory Medal at Senator King’s Augusta office.

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