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Medal Of Honor Recipient Honored At Yankee Air Museum

YPSILANTI (AP) -- A Vietnam War helicopter pilot from Michigan who recently received the Medal of Honor has been honored at the Yankee Air Museum.

Roughly 300 people gathered Saturday to celebrate the accomplishments of Lt. Col. Charles Kettles at the museum near his hometown of Ypsilanti.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell introduced the 86-year-old and a letter from U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow was read by Bill Vollano. He launched a campaign in 2012 as coordinator of the local Veterans History Project to recognize Kettles.

Master of ceremonies John Kinzinger called it a "moving" tribute to "the most unassuming gentleman I've been around."

President Barack Obama last month awarded the nation's highest military honor to Kettles. He led helicopter flights carrying reinforcements to soldiers and evacuated the wounded after they were ambushed in May 1967.

 

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