After 64 years, N.H. vet gets his Bronze Star

A New Hampshire veteran received a Bronze Star medal today, more than six decades after earning it for his service in Europe in World War II.

Milton Christian, 84, of Derry, N.H., was awarded the medal by Granite State US Senator Jeanne Shaheen for his service with the Army's 29th Infantry Division.

Christian was not presented with the medal earlier because his military records were destroyed in a fire. He contacted Shaheen's office for help, and she and her staff worked to provide documentation of his service.

"After 64 years, today Milton Christian will finally receive the full honor and recognition he has earned and deserves," Shaheen said in a statement. "On behalf of all the people of New Hampshire, we thank Milton for his selfless service to our nation."

Christian served as a member of the 29th Infantry from 1943 to 1946. He fought in the Netherlands, France, and Germany as a member of a heavy machine gun squad.

He was wounded in an explosion at the Battle of Brest in France in 1944, and had already earned the Purple Heart and a host of other medals.