Claremore World War II Veteran Honored Decades After Service

Newson6.com

BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma -- At the dedication ceremony for the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Broken Arrow, a World War II veteran was at the center of a touching Oklahoma moment.

After 66 years, Buford Wester of Claremore received a Bronze Star Medal for his bravery.

Wester served in the army for two years as a machine gunner in the infantry. German forces captured the 86-year-old in January, 1945, as he was defending a French town on the Rhine River.

Wester was a prisoner of war (POW) for four months and said receiving the medal was an honor.

"I didn't know I was going to get it until I got it today. It shocked the pants off of me," said Wester." It was wonderful. I never even expected such a thing to happen to me.

Wester has lived in Oklahoma all his life.