A San Diego veteran received a Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, decades after his service.
La Jolla resident Donald Breitenberg, 90, served in the U.S. Army during World War II as an infantryman in Europe. Breitenberg was wounded in France during his service, which went from 1943 to 1946. He previously earned a Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Three months after Pearl Harbor, when he was 17, he said every young man he knew, himself included, wanted to enlist in the war.
"Our mission was to go to the coast, go to the channel, and destroy a lot of the defense there the germans had," he said of his first action.
They lost many lives, but were ultimately successful, he said.
"It's probably, not a day that goes by that I dont think of it," Breitenberg said.
U.S. Congressman Scott Peters, who represents parts of San Diego County, pinned the award during a ceremony Monday. Breitenberg initially reached out to Peters' office after he realizing he was eligible.
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Breitenberg said the award meant a lot.
"It just opens up doors of memories," he said.
