World War II veteran's wife accepts Prisoner of War Medal in honor of late husband

World War II veterans wife accepts Prisoner of War Medal in honor of husband

World War II veterans wife accepts Prisoner of War Medal in honor of husband

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Honoring a longtime hero. 70 years after World War Two veteran was held captive in a Switzerland prison, the Milwaukee native was honored posthumously on Saturday, July 12th. FOX6 was at the ceremony as his wife received the award and explains why the recognition took so long.

Surrounded by family and friends at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, Rose Ellington proudly participated in a special tribute to her late husband, staff Sargent Dale Ellington.

"I`m overwhelmed this is something that makes you want to cry cause he was so honored and he should have been, he was a wonderful man," says Rose.

Ellington, a World War II veteran, served as a B-17 Waist Gunner in the Army Air Force. He was on his fifth mission over Germany when his aircraft was hit by enemy fire.

"He crash landed in the airplane when he got to Switzerland," says Rose.

He was incarcerated at Wauwilermoos Prison Camp by Nazi supporters in Switzerland in 1944.

"A very terrible prison, he was treated as a criminal and he lost 30 pounds in a week," says Rose.

Ellington managed to escape.

"These young men in WWII were very dedicated," says Rose.

Now, 70 years after being held captive, he was awarded A Prisoner of War Medal, which his wife proudly received.

"He would look down on us and say this is the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to me," says Rose.

Previously, Ellington was never considered a prisoner of war because Switzerland was never at war with the United States. The late honor comes after congress reconsidered the airmen who endured Wauwilermoos.

"It gives us a sense of pride in what we do when we are able to recognize our veterans for their sacrifice," says Major Sherri Hrovatin, 128th air refueling wing.

Rose was grateful that her husband of 69 years was finally recognized as the hero she always knew him to be.

"I have a regular table all set up with his war medal and with pictures of him and candle which lights up and some pictures and his war book," says Rose. "It`s like a little shrine for him in my living room."

Ellington was among 143 airmen who endured Wauwilermoos, to get awarded a Prisoner of War Medal. He passed away two months before the medals were presented.