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Family learns fate of WWII veteran

82 years ago, one man went to serve his country during World War II and never made it home. His family finally received some answers over the summer.

BERWICK, Pa. — It was a salute to veterans at the Luzerne County Community College's Berwick Center on Friday.

For one family, this Veterans Day is extra special.

Bonnie Lee Orth's family always wondered what happened to her Great Uncle Gordon Lee Jr. during his time in World War II. 

"My great grandparents, with the war and having a causality, it wasn't much of a conversation; we didn't even know his date of birth; we knew nothing," said Orth. 

Out of curiosity, she emailed the Department of Defense in June of last year in the hopes they could get answers. 

Fast forward to this summer, and she got the email she'd been waiting for. The learned Private First Class Lee was a prisoner of war. 

"He was brutally interrogated and ultimately executed at Fort Santiago in the Philippines," said Orth. 

Just last week, the Department of Defense sent her family Great Uncle Gordon's medals.

They were proudly displayed for the community to see.

"It's crazy because just the idea that he is being honored and that the sacrifices and courage that it took to receive those medals is beyond belief, but more than anything, it's the feeling that he is being remembered," said Orth. 

His ashes will be delivered back to the family and buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Private First Class Lee was 21 years old when he was killed in 1943.

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