WWII Vet Receives Medals

More than 60 years ago Cleon Overmyer served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II.

In addition to his duties at the Coastie's "yard" in Curtis Bay, Md., he performed "Taps" during graveside rites in nearby Arlington National Cemetery.

He joined the Coast Guard in November 1943 and was dismissed as a Seaman 2nd Class in March 1946.

He returned to Indiana and raised a family with his wife, the late Iris Blackwell of Mentone.

During a ceremony in his honor Saturday at the Warsaw American Legion Post 49, he was presented medals earned during World War II. Making the presentation was Matt Overmyer, Cleon's grandson.

Matt is a Petty Officer 2nd Class active duty Coast Guardsman, stationed in Florida.

While researching his family's past for eligibility in the Sons of the American Revolution, Matt came across his grandfather's service record. He discovered Cleon never received either the American Campaign Medal or the World War II Victory Medal.

Officials from Curtis Bay sent a baseball cap stitched with U.S. Coast Guard Yard.

Arlington National Cemetery Superintendent John Metzler sent a letter of appreciation and a medallion to recognize the veteran's services.

"Well, I didn't do anything," Cleon said at his Lukens Lake home last week.

While a student at Laketon High School, Cleon read about the Coast Guard and decided it was the service for him.

On his first visit to Indianapolis to enlist, a doctor declared his heart weak and he was considered unfit for duty.

"I came back home and felt bad about it," he said. "I wanted to go. I'd never had heart trouble."

After talking to a recruiter in Wabash, he went back to Indianapolis for another physical. He was examined by three doctors.

"The main doctor said, 'You don't have to go, but we can't find anything wrong.' They passed me and I got in."

Offered a choice between the Army or Navy, Cleon asked about the Coast Guard and took the last billet.

"I knew the food would be better," he said.

He and Iris were married while he was in the service. She returned to Maryland with him and worked at a defense plant.

The couple raised three children, Mitch of Fort Wayne, Mona Shepherd of Laketon, and Mark, Matt's father, of Warsaw.