The widow of a World War II soldier will accept the Medal of Honor for her husband at the White House tomorrow, 22 years after his family began efforts to upgrade the soldier's Distinguished Service Cross.
Army First Lt. Garlin M. Conner's widow, Pauline Conner, was joined today in a Pentagon press briefing by Army Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Quintas, commanding general, 3rd Infantry Division; Erik Villard, historian, Center for Military History; and Luther Conner, a cousin of Garlin Conner and attorney who was involved in fighting for the soldier's Medal of Honor recognition.
Pauline, 89, of Albany, Kentucky, will accept the honor on behalf of her husband, who died 20 years ago at age 79. He was drafted March 1, 1941, and assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment.
First Lt. Garlin Conner spent 28 months on the front lines in eight campaigns in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, participated in four amphibious assault landings, was wounded seven times and earned a battlefield commission. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, four Silver Stars and the French Croix de Guerre for his actions in Italy and France. He also received a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts.
Battlefield Commission
On June 28, 1944, shortly after earning his second Silver Star medal, Conner…
