LEWISTON — Charles Plummer of Auburn accepted several medals awarded by the U.S. Government, one by the State of Maine and one by the Korean Government in a recent posthumous ceremony on behalf of his brother, Cpl. Harry Plummer, at Congressman Mike Michaud’s Lewiston office.

Also participating were Brig. Gen. James Campbell, the Adjutant General of Maine; and Peter Ogden, director of Maine Veterans’ Services.

Cpl. Plummer was a veteran of World War II and re-enlisted in the Army in 1949. He was seriously wounded in action as the driver of a tank with the 78th Medium Tank Battalion on July 17, 1950, flown to a military hospital in Fukuoka, Japan, and died there the next day.

After being wounded he lost consciousness and his tank went off the road into a ditch. He regained consciousness and in spite of his wounds, he drove the tank out of the ditch and to the rear, saving the lives of two other crew members. For his bravery he was awarded the Bronze Star with a V for Valor.

Included in the medals received by Cpl. Plummer are the following awarded by the U.S. Government: Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star and United Nations Service Medal. He also received the Cold War Certificate of Recognition.

The Gold Star Honorable Service Medal was awarded by the State of Maine and the Korean War Service Medal was awarded by the Korean Government.

Charles Plummer, visibly overcome by the ceremony, remarked that he was grateful the medals were awarded to his late brother and said, “I have tried to get his medals for 60 years and it was only after requesting the help of Congressman Michaud that I received them.”

Ogden added, “Congressman Michaud has been immeasurably helpful to the Maine Veterans Services.”

Plummer is the only surviving relative of a cousin, Korean War MIA 1st Lt. Roscoe E. Halliday Jr., who was reported missing in action in North Korea on June 12, 1953 while serving with the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.

Charles Plummer is also a veteran and served in the Korean War as a combat air crewman with a Navy heavy attack squadron that operated off several aircraft carriers and was stationed in Atsugi, Japan.