Army Air Corps Soldier's Final Medal

WASHINGTON (May 3, 2012) -- An Army Air Corps Soldier received the Prisoner

of War Medal today at Arlington National Cemetery related to his capture

after his plane was shot down over Tokyo on June 22, 1945. The medal was

presented by the Commander of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)

Col. David Anders, on behalf of the United States.

Losing a loved one is generally a time for mourning, but it may also be a

celebration of a person's life and journey they took along the way.

"This is more of a celebration," said Paul Petric, son of Staff Sgt. Stanley

V. Petric. "It's time to lay him to rest."

"We are past the mourning," said Peggy Dovico, daughter of Staff Sgt.

Stanley V. Petric. "We're just ready for our father to be placed in his

final resting place."

"My father's plane was hit by enemy fire while flying over Tokyo that took

out the right wing," said Petric. "The plane slowly spiraled down, and

landed in an enemy area. My father and a few others survived and were taken

prisoner."

Petric was held captive while the United States was engaged in military

operations against opposing armed forces in the pacific theater.

"My father told me the Japanese interrogated him," said Petric. "They did

for months."

Petric was held as a prisoner of war until the end of the war, Sept. 1945.

He completed his time in the U.S. Army, went back to civilian life with his

wife Mildred and raised three children.

Petric died May 2000 and his wife Mildred died February 2011.

"I decided I wanted my father to get the recognition he deserved," said

Petric.

"I'm glad we're doing this because it really highlights what he went through

like so many others in this cemetery," said Dovico.

Petric and wife Mildred received standard burial honors by the 3d U.S.

Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) on this sunny May morning.

"Today is a sad day," said Petric. "But in the end, my parents are here

together in their final resting place, and that makes me happy."

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