Congressman Dave Loebsack Presents Iowa Veteran With The World War II Victory Medal

After long wait, vet awarded

New London man's military record destroyed in fire.

By WILLIAM SMITH wsmith@thehawkeye.com

NEW LONDON – Many brave soldiers who served during World War II returned home with medals pinned to their chests. But Edward Earl Smith, who served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947, wasn't among them.

The New London man, now 82 and confined to a wheelchair, never received the medals owed to him due to a fire at the National Personnel Records Center that destroyed his military record.

That changed Saturday when Rep. Dave Loebsack presented Smith with the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal (given to those who served on active duty between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946) and Honorable Service lapel button.

“It's been a long wait,” Smith said.

The ceremony took place inside the New London Nursing and Rehab Center, which was packed with family, community members and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7641.

Smith is in failing health now, and the care center has been his home the past couple of years, but he was delighted to have all four of his children, Steven Smith, Linda Smith, David Smith and Barb Blint, with him during the ceremony.

“This is a big thing for him and the family,” said Linda Smith, who also lives in New London.

Steven Smith of Iowa City heard the story of his father's missing medals a few weeks ago and immediately contacted Loebsack for his help. Loebsack, who sits on the Committee on Armed Services, has helped other World War II veterans secure their missing medals over the last few years.

“It's a great honor to present these medals to one who is a member of the greatest generation,” Loebsack said during a short speech. “We call them that for a lot of reasons. World War II was one of those wars we had to fight, there's absolutely no doubt about it.”

After his honorable discharge, Edward Smith attended the University of Iowa, where he became a bona-fide rock hound. Considering his father was one of the founders of Geode State Park, his love of rocks may have been part of his DNA.

The only thing incomplete in Edward Smith's life was those missing medals. And now that chapter has come to a close.

“He's had a wonderful life,” Linda Smith said.

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