Two World War II vets get their medals

Two Tulsa area veterans received a long-overdue honor Thursday, some 60 years after the fact. <br/><br/>Willis Smith was in some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific. He lost his five World War II

Thursday, October 21st 2004, 10:30 am

By: News On 6

Two Tulsa area veterans received a long-overdue honor Thursday, some 60 years after the fact.

Willis Smith was in some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific. He lost his five World War II medals in a house fire and when his family applied for replacements, they discovered there were five more medals he didn't even know he'd been awarded.

Jeane Davis was an army nurse caring for war-wounded in 1946. She didn't think she was eligible for medals, but she was wrong. Both veterans are modest about their deeds. Veteran Jeane Davis: "Well, I'm very, very proud of them, didn't think Iâ€™d ever see one."

Veteran Willis Smith: "I'm very thankful somebody was looking over me greater than me. I'm very thankful that I got to come home, a lot of my buddies didn't."

Smith got a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Service Cross among others.

Davis received the Womanâ€™s Army Corps Medal and the Victory Medal.