Roy John Spencer left behind a teenage bride when he died during World War 2 as a bazooka blew up in Flamizoulle, Belgium. Surprisingly, 65 years later, this long time widow, named Anna Heinrichs, has become the recipient of of the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and other medals that private Spencer had earned years ago.
Anna Heinrichs is now 83 years old and she was surprised as she received these awards on the Speaker’s Balcony of the United States’s Capitol. She was accompanied by her family from Coarsegold, California and her second husband, Wes Heinrichs, who was also a former World War 2 veteran.
“I just can’t fathom it,” Anna Heinrichs said. “It’s almost like it isn’t real, after so many years.”
Spencer was a 26 year old private, when he died as a member of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was a part of the original 82nd Airborne. On January 12, 1945, the young Colorado native was advancing through the woods when his bazooka was ripped. As German tanks were approaching him, Spencer fired his rifle and the bazooka exploded, killing him and his partner.
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Tags: world war 2, medals, silver star, purple heart, veteran, bazooka, medal, widow
