One day after receiving two medals more than six decades late, a World War II Army veteran in a California nursing home died at age 87, the Ventura County Star reported.
On Wednesday, Adam Macht was pinned with Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals — more than 60 years after he earned them.
Macht served as a combat infantryman under Gen. George S. Patton during World War II in Tunisia, Algeria and French Morocco. But he never received the Bronze Star he earned for heroic service or the Purple Heart he was awarded for wounds suffered in battle.
The oversight was uncovered when staff at Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura checked to see if he was eligible for veteran’s pension benefits.
Macht suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He sat mostly still in his wheelchair with his eyes closed during Wednesday's presentation ceremony.
Chief Master Sgt. Benito Salinas of the Air National Guard called the ceremony "a long overdue presentation" before pinning the three-inch medals to Macht's green Army jacket.
He died Thursday morning at about 6:30 a.m. in his apartment, his stepdaughter-in-law told the Star.