CANTON — World War II veteran Bernard Adams was presented with the Purple Heart and four other awards in Canton on Thursday.

“This is one of our most decorated heroes in the state of Maine,” U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin said after the presentation.

The Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Honorable Service lapel button were the other awards Poliquin presented to Adams.

Adams, 100, served 25 months overseas in the European Theater of Operations — in Normandy in northern France in June 1944 and in Rhineland, Germany.

“He was involved in the invasion of Normandy during D-Day, which is just amazing,” Poliquin said. “I cannot even imagine what these young men and women did, but we are so proud to have heroes like him.”

During the war, he was wounded twice, once in Normandy by a mortar shell and six months later in Germany.

Adams, a native of Canton, and his wife, Mabel, were married for 64 years and had two children, Charles and Joan. After his years of service, Bernard Adams returned to Canton to work at the family farm. He served on the town Planning Board and as a selectman for several years.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin pins a Purple Heart on World War II veteran Bernard Adams in Canton on Thursday. 

World War II veteran Bernard Adams, 100, of Canton, received a Purple Heart from U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin on Thursday in Canton. With Adams are, from left, granddaughter Prudy Adams, Poliquin, grandson Russell Adams, daughter Joan Kneeland and her husband, Richard.