Local veteran receives medals for service 48 years ago

Tuesday night one local veteran got recognized for his service more than four decades ago.

Navy submariner Larry Watson was honored at a veterans program at Hillcrest High School.

During the program fifth-graders from Hillview Elementary sang songs, other students gave speeches about service members from the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At the end of the program Watson was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Watson has worked for years to get his military record corrected so he could receive the medals.

“What medals I am getting. They’re not truly for heroism, they’re just for doing my duty and carrying on. So that is how I feel about it. It does get to me,” said Watson.

Watson’s family has a long history of serving in the military.