92-year-old WWII veteran from Colorado Springs reunited with lost medals

On Wednesday, retired Army Master Sgt. Harlen “Hank” Sheeks was greeted by family and friends as he was reunited with 13 medals of recognition that were lost during a deployment.

The 92-year-old veteran served from 1945 to 1969, getting recognized dozens of time for his service, and of course earning medals along the way.

“I didn’t know I had them, really,” he said. “It was kind of a shock to me.”

During his career, Hank earned — be prepared, it’s a lot — a Silver Star, Bronze Star, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany & Japan clasps), National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star), Korean Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star), Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal, Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, and six Good Conduct Medals.

Hank lost them during deployment from Fort Carson to Germany.

“It’s like rubbing an old sore,” he said. “I’ve been trying to forget it for 68 years.”

But they were reissued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and seeing them displayed Wednesday brought Hank to tears as he remembered the dozens of times he came close to death.

“Out of my company of 183 men, there was 112 of us left,” Hank said.

Also in attendance was his daughter-in-law, who said all of Hank’s service awards, decorations and badges were reissued by the VA thanks to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and the El Paso County Veterans Service Office.

“It means the world to me, it really does,” said Judi Sheeks.

Hank plans to display his medals at his home in Colorado Springs.