On Monday, July 24, 98-year-old World War II veteran Francis Marshall received a full re-issue of military medals honoring his service in the U.S. Army.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse presented the medals at a ceremony, attended by dozens of friends and family members, at Silver Creek Manor, where Marshall, a Tiverton native, currently resides.

Marshall joined the Army at just 17 years old, requiring his parents sign off. He fought courageously through Germany, Belgium, and France, and took part in the liberation of concentration camps. He was decorated for his bravery during the Battle of the Bulge, but his military career would come to an abrupt end in April 1945.

“We were traveling along a highway trying to keep up with Patton, when all of a sudden we were fired upon from this town,” he said. “For whatever reason, we went in.” Marshall was standing in the kitchen of a house with five other men when a bomb went off at close range, badly damaging his hand. Even today, the scars are very apparent. He was discharged due to his injury.

Marshall’s numerous honors include the American Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantrymen’s Badge, the Purple Heart, the Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Honorable Discharge Lapel Button, and the World War II Victory Medal. Marshall has also earned three Bronze Stars for individual heroism in a combat zone and meritorious service during World War II.

After the war, Marshall attended Holy Cross College and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School before launching a successful career in advertising. He and his wife, Lois, raised three sons, Frank, Kevin, and Richard, and are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren.

The medal reissue was thanks to the efforts of Paul Solomon, a retired Service Officer with the Veterans Administration, who volunteers as a Veterans advocate. “Whenever I get the opportunity to help Veterans, I do,” he said. “There’s nothing better.”

Solomon met Marshall at Silver Creek and was impressed with his military experience. “He had some of his medals, but he was owed two bronze stars that he never received,” said Solomon, who reached out to Whitehouse’s office to rectify the situation. “Some he had and some he didn’t, but it’s nice to get a new set.”

“It is an honor to present Mr. Marshall with the military medals he courageously earned during World War II,” said Whitehouse. “So few of the men who were part of that important time in world history are still with us, and we are deeply fortunate to have the opportunity to recognize Mr. Marshall’s service to our country.”

“It was a very exciting day,” said Marshall of Monday’s events.