Meridian Woman Receives WWII Medals On Her Brother’s Behalf

For 70 years, Edith Walters of Meridian knew very little about her brother’s death.

The military declared Corporal Melvin Huff “killed in action” after his plane went down during a World War II combat mission over the South Pacific. The wreckage was never found and for a very long time, Edith held out hope that her 19-year-old brother was of the lucky ones.

Over the years, she attempted to find out more, but with little success. In Nov. of last year her family received a call from Washington, D.C.

They said they had found wreckage in the area where the flight had gone down.
There remains no hard evidence that the wreckage found is from Melvin's plane. But, the Army did ask Edith to provide for a DNA sample, should they ever find her brother's remains and need to identify him. Plus, the Army told Edith that after seven decades, Cpl. Huff would finally be honored for his service.

“The Air Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal,” said Command Sergeant Major Steven Woodall of the Idaho Army National Guard.

Five generations were on hand to watch as Edith received five medals on her brother's behalf.

“I don't know why the Lord left me this long but I'm enjoying every moment of it,” said Edith. “And I'm looking forward to the day I'll be with him, I'll be with Melvin.”