World War II veteran awarded Bronze Star

At the Air Force Academy Sunday afternoon, dozens from various branches came together to recognize an 89-year-old World War II veteran who now wears a Bronze Star.

Denver’s Uwe Grapengeter received one of the highest military honors. It’s a recognition he never imagined he would receive.

“I haven’t even gotten over the shock yet,” Grapengeter said. “I’m still trying to recover from that.”

He fought in the Army near the end of the war in Central Europe.

Nearly 70 years after he left the service, this veteran is overwhelmed by the generosity of his military community.

“It shows that there was an appreciation for what we did,” Grapengeter said. “It’s an acknowledgement of that.”

“People now who will come up and thank him for his service, where for 50, 60 or 70 years no one even acknowledged it,” Grapengeter’s daughter, Linda Hendrix said. “I think that makes him feel good.”

Born in Germany, Grapengeter immigrated United States as a little boy. As a teenager, he heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor.

“We were at home, listening to the radio as we did every evening,” the veteran said.

A couple years later, he went to war.

Generations after his safe return, Grapengeter’s service will now forever be remembered as he dawns the Bronze Star with pride.

“I have to reflect on it a little bit more and realize I did something more important than I thought at the time.”