The family of a late East Tennessee soldier, who served in the army during World War II, have accepted several medals in his honor.
Private First Class James R. Waddle died in 2004.
His family accepted 7 medals, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart at the Anderson County courthouse on Monday.
PFC Waddle received the Purple Heart after being wounded in action in February of 1944 in Anzio, Italy. He got the Bronze Star for his achievements while in active combat in July of 1944.
"The awards that he is receiving now are just a tribute to him and his memory and again it is a recognition of my dad, but many other people in America, too. It makes us all happy and very very proud," said Gerald Waddle.
It actually took the military 18 months to determine which medals PFC Waddle should be awarded, because the Army and Air Force Personal Records Center in St. Louis was destroyed in a fire in 1973.