World World II Veteran Honored Posthumously With Two Medals

A World War II veteran from Maine was honored posthumously Tuesday in New Hampshire with Purple Heart and Prisoner of War medals.

Lawrence Minnehan of Lewiston was captured in Belgium and marched to Germany, where he was held in a prisoner of war camp, nearly starved and forced to work. He escaped with fellow prisoners while on a work detail and was rescued by Allied forces.

His son Peter Minnehan of Hopkinton describes his father's relief at escaping the German POW camp.

"He said he cried like a baby when he saw what he called the 'Yanks' for the first time when he was saved. He said it was the greatest day of his whole life."

The medals were presented to the Minnehan family at the Concord office of Representative Annie Kuster, who assisted with the family's application for the honor.